Mild snowfall in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA – The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh Monday received mild snowfall while the lower areas witnessed moderate rain, the weatherman said.

The hills of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu and Chamba districts experienced mild spells of snow early this morning, Manmohan Singh, the director of the meteorological office here, told IANS.
He said Keylong, the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

A Mars rover where astronauts can work, sleep and exercise for 3 weeks

WASHINGTON – An Illinois-based design consulting firm has designed a compact Mars space rover in which astronauts could comfortably work, sleep and exercise for up to 3 weeks at a time on the Red Planet.

According to a report in Discovery News, the team won the “Good Design Award” in … Original article on : A Mars rover where astronauts can work, sleep and exercise for 3 weeks.

Mushroom roots can make stronger packages

WASHINGTON – A company in the US is using mushroom roots to design packages because they are much more stronger.

According to a report in Discovery News, the company in question is Ecovative Design.
“We should make products that fit into nature’s recycling system,” said Ecovative Design cofounder …. Read the original article  : Mushroom roots can make stronger packages.

Warm Holi for Delhiites as temperature rises

NEW DELHI – The national capital was awash in the colours of Holi Monday with the pleasant weather adding warmth to the celebrations, even as the weatherman predicted some rain in the city later in the day.

According to the India Meterological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature Monday in the city will hover around 33 … Read more »»».

Organic farmers seek to bar genetically modified beets, source of about half of US sugar crop

Suit seeks to bar genetically modified sugar beets

PHILOMATH, Ore. – Organic farmers fear this year’s spring breezes will carry pollen from genetically altered sugar beets, which they say could render their crops worthless.
So they’re hoping to persuade a federal judge in San Francisco to halt the plantings nationwide.
Industry groups say such an injunction could jeopardize … Read more >>.

Extinctions were more severe in northern oceans after catastrophe 65 mln yrs ago

LONDON – A new study has determined that the extinctions that happened 65 million years were more severe in northern oceans than the southern ones.

The extraterrestrial body that slammed into Earth 65 million years ago is best known for killing off the dinosaurs.
But it …. Source article  : Extinctions were more severe in northern oceans after catastrophe 65 mln yrs ago.

Stomach hormone may offer novel fibrosis therapy

WASHINGTON – Spanish researchers have suggested that ghrelin, a stomach hormone, could offer therapy for fibrosis.

In the study, boffins determined that rats treated with recombinant ghrelin displayed a reduction in liver fibrosis. Ghrelin reduced the amount of fibrogenic …. Original article  : Stomach hormone may offer novel fibrosis therapy.

Reports of alien sightings to be binned in Britain

LONDON – Britain’s defence ministry is fed up with mounting reports of alien sightings and says it will destroy all future reports in order to save staff time.

Reports of sightings have been kept for 30 days before being binned after Britain’s official UFO (unidentified flying object) investigation unit and hotline were closed down in December. …. Original article  : Reports of alien sightings to be binned in Britain.

Global warming likely to impact rainfall patterns

WASHINGTON – Climate models project that the global average temperature will rise about 1 degree C by mid-century, if we continue with business as usual and emit greenhouse gases.

The global average, though, does not tell us anything about what will happen to regional climates.
Analysing global model warming projections in models used by the …. Read the original article  : Global warming likely to impact rainfall patterns.

Beewolves produce ‘antibiotic cocktail’ to fend off infections

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have found that digger wasps of the genus Philanthus, so-called beewolves, house beneficial bacteria on their cocoons that guarantee protection against harmful microorganisms.

The research was carried out by scientists of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Beewolves produce ‘antibiotic cocktail’ to fend off infections.

‘Green fuels’ cause more harm to the environment than fossil fuels

LONDON – A new study by the British government has determined that using fossil fuel in vehicles is better for the environment than so-called green fuels made from crops.

According to a report in The Times, the findings show that the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) target for raising the level of … Read : ‘Green fuels’ cause more harm to the environment than fossil fuels.

Genetic test may help ‘personalize’ drugs for cancer patients

LONDON – A genetic test that predicts how well chemotherapy will work in cancer patients is being developed by scientists.

According to creators, the revolutionary test will allow doctors to prescribe drugs only to those people who are likely to benefit from the medicines rather than giving them … Read more >>>.

Brainy men ‘less likely to cheat’

LONDON – Men with higher IQs are less likely to cheat on their wives, concludes a new study.

And, according to researchers, it is so because of evolution.
New analysis of social trends indicates that intelligent place greater value on monogamy and sexual exclusivity than their less intelligent peers.
However, … Read more >>>.

Leopard attacks on humans on rise in Himachal

SHIMLA – Leopard attacks on humans are on the rise in several districts of Himachal Pradesh due to the depleting forest cover and shortage of prey in the wild which force the animals to stray from the jungles.

“In the past few years, attacks by leopards on humans have increased. Thirteen people, mostly women and …. Source article  : Leopard attacks on humans on rise in Himachal.

CCTV surveillance system modified to work as bush-fire alarm

LONDON – Researchers have modified an ordinary CCTV surveillance system to develop an automatic early warning system that can detect the first flames of a bush fire.

According to a report in New Scientist, the bush-fire alarm, devised by fire-safety engineer Yaping He of the …. Original source  : CCTV surveillance system modified to work as bush-fire alarm.

Tsunamis spawned by Chile quake were tiny, say experts

WASHINGTON – Experts have said that the tsunamis spawned by the devastating earthquake in Chile were relatively tiny.

The giant quake that stuck Chile on February 26 was one of the most powerful ever recorded, killing more than 700 people and leveling cities.
Yet, experts …. Read the original article  : Tsunamis spawned by Chile quake were tiny, say experts.

Will growing seagrass beds bring back rare sea cows to Chilika?

CHILIKA – Wild life experts are hoping the highly endangered dugong or sea cow could again come visiting Orissa’s Chilika Lake, thanks to the expanding beds of sea grass growing in the shallow waters – a critical requirement for the big marine animal.

Seagrass meadows are the only marine flowering plants found in shallow waters. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Will growing seagrass beds bring back rare sea cows to Chilika?.

40 tons of dead fish removed off Brazilian coast

Rio de Janeiro, March 1 (IANS/EFE) Up to 40 tons of fish, that died apparently due to lack of oxygen caused by excess growth of algae, was removed off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, authorities said.

According to Brazil’s environment department official, the cause of sudden, massive extermination of fish has not yet been ascertained, …. Source article  : 40 tons of dead fish removed off Brazilian coast.

World’s largest atom smasher in Geneva cautiously restarts in runup to new science experiments

Atom smasher restarts to prepare for new science

GENEVA – Operators of the world’s largest atom smasher restarted their massive machine Sunday in a run up to experiments probing secrets of the universe, a spokeswoman said.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, sent low energy beams of protons in both directions around the 27-kilometer (17-mile) … Read more : World’s largest atom smasher in Geneva cautiously restarts in runup to new science experiments.

AP Enterprise: How restricted nuclear equipment ended up where it wasn’t supposed to _ Iran

AP Enterprise: How nuclear equipment reached Iran

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Early last year, a Chinese company placed an order with a Taiwanese agent for 108 nuclear-related pressure gauges. But something happened along the way. Paperwork was backdated. Plans were rerouted, orders reconfigured, shipping redirected.
And the gauges ended up in a very different place: Iran.
The story behind …. Read the original article  : here.

Steel maker ArcelorMittal loses court challenge to exemption from EU cap-and-trade program

ArcelorMittal loses court challenge on emissions

BRUSSELS – The world’s largest steel maker ArcelorMittal SA has lost a legal challenge that sought to exempt it from the European Union’s greenhouse gas cap-and-trade system.
The EU’s general court said Tuesday the company could not annul the EU law that issues pollution permits to major carbon dioxide emitters and …. Source article  : Steel maker ArcelorMittal loses court challenge to exemption from EU cap-and-trade program.

It’s official: Violent video games make kids more aggressive

WASHINGTON – Exposure to violent video games makes more aggressive, less caring kids – regardless of their age, sex or culture, concludes a new study.

Iowa State University Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig Anderson and colleagues analyzed 130 research reports on more than 130,000 subjects worldwide to reach the conclusion.
The …. Original article  : It’s official: Violent video games make kids more aggressive.

Discovery in legumes could reduce fertilizer use and aid environment

WASHINGTON – New findings by Stanford researchers that reveal the inner workings of nitrogen-producing bacteria living inside legumes such as soybeans could enable scientists to blunt the negative effects of excess nitrogen and aid efforts to make agriculture more sustainable.

Excess nitrogen from fertilizer runoff into rivers …. Original source  : Discovery in legumes could reduce fertilizer use and aid environment.

Pandemic flu virus may become resistant to Tamiflu

WASHINGTON – A new study, conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University, analysing the behaviour of seasonal H1N1 suggests that pandemic flu may become resistant to Tamiflu, the main drug used against it.

OSU scientists traced the evolutionary history of the seasonal H1N1 influenza virus, which first infected humans during the …. Original article  : Pandemic flu virus may become resistant to Tamiflu.

Is climate change causing hay fever to stay longer?

WASHINGTON – Increase in allergy may be linked to climate change, according to Italian doctors.

A six-year study in Italy registered a considerable increase in pollen seasons and the amount of pollen in the air, doctors told a meeting of the American Academy of … Read more >>>.

Now, tobacco to clean up environmental toxin

WASHINGTON – A new research by scientists has suggested that a new strain of tobacco plant can make antibodies to clean up toxic pond scum that affects humans, livestock and wildlife.

In a new research report appearing in the March 2010 print issue of the FASEB …. Original source  : Now, tobacco to clean up environmental toxin.

El Nino killed Costa Rican toad, not global warming

WASHINGTON – A new study has determined that global warming not kill the Monteverde golden toad of Costa Rica, an often-cited example of climate-triggered extinction, but the culprits were El Nino, combined with a pathogen.

The toad vanished from Costa Rica’s Pacific coastal-mountain cloud forest in …. Read the original article  : El Nino killed Costa Rican toad, not global warming.

Nose scanning – the newest way to blow security hooter

LONDON – With iris and fingerprint scanning already in existence, now the nose is being taken into consideration as a method of identification.

The study from the University of Bath, UK, finds that noses could be an even better method, as researchers scanned noses in 3D and characterised them by tip, ridge profile and … Original article on : Nose scanning – the newest way to blow security hooter.

Russia shortlists 11 for Mars mission simulation

Moscow, March 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia’s Institute of Medical and Biological Problems has shortlisted 11 volunteers to take part in a 520-day simulation of an expedition to Mars, a spokesman said.

The 11 candidates will complete basic spaceflight training and in spring, six of them will be chosen to take part in the experiment, which will … Original source on Gaea Times at : Russia shortlists 11 for Mars mission simulation.

Ancient snake devoured dinosaur young in India

AHMEDABAD – Ancient snakes in India fed on young dinosaurs. The remains of a fossil unearthed in 67-million-year-old sediments in Gujarat provide a rare glimpse of this unusual feeding behaviour.

An international palaeontological team led by the University of Michigan’s Jeff Wilson and Geological Survey of India’s (GSI) Dhananjay Mohabey conducted the research.
The remains …. Read the original article  : Ancient snake devoured dinosaur young in India.

Operate multiple accounts with single password

SYDNEY – A little-used internet authentication system from the 1980s could enable web users to securely log in only once per internet session, says a new study.

PhD researcher S. Suriadi from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Information Security Institute said a secure single sign-on system was more than simply using the same password for multiple …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Operate multiple accounts with single password.

Tiny-shelled creatures shed light on extinction and recovery 65 million years ago

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists are studying tiny-shelled creatures called nannoplanktons to explain the geographic unevenness of extinctions and recovery 65 million years ago.

The researchers, using 823 samples from 17 drilling sites in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, analyzed the community structure of calcareous – shelled – nannoplankton.
Included in their study were [..] Read the original article: here.

Chile quake occurred in zone of “increased stress” caused by 1960 temblor

WASHINGTON – A geologist has determined that the massive, 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on February 27 occurred in an offshore zone that was under increased stress caused by a 1960 quake of magnitude 9.5.

The geologist in question is Jian Lin of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
The Feb 27 earthquake, some 300-500 times more …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chile quake occurred in zone of “increased stress” caused by 1960 temblor.

New innovations required for finding aliens

WASHINGTON – The author of a new book, titled “The Eerie Silence: Are We Alone?” has said that bold new innovations are required to search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Writing in March’s Physics World, Paul Davies, director of BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University in the US, explains why the search for …. Read the original article  : here.

Community involvement drives success of marine reserves

WASHINGTON – The largest study of marine reserves has found that community involvement is among the most important factors driving the success of marine reserves.

The study was carried out by a team of natural and social scientists from the University of Rhode Island (URI) and other institutions.
“We make a big mistake thinking that a marine …. Source  : Community involvement drives success of marine reserves.

Fruit flies employ stabilizer reflex to recover from midflight stumbles

WASHINGTON – New observations by scientists indicate that fruit flies use an automatic stabilizer reflex that helps them recover with precision from midflight stumbles.

The aerial maneuvers of fruit flies were observed by Cornell University researchers.
The team led by Cornell doctoral candidate Leif Ristroph made its observations with three high-speed (about 8,000 frames per second) video … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fruit flies employ stabilizer reflex to recover from midflight stumbles.

Chinese pandas spotted eating bones rather than bamboo (Lead, Changing Dateline)

Beijing, March 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Some Chinese pandas have started eating animal bones instead of their traditional diet of bamboo, state-run China Central Television has said.

The bizarre change in the endangered creatures’ diet is thought to be due to the large-scale cutting down of bamboo forests in China.
According to eyewitnesses, wild pandas have …. Read the original article  : Chinese pandas spotted eating bones rather than bamboo (Lead, Changing Dateline).

2-D graphene quilt offers new microelectronic possibilities

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Rice University, US, have found a way to stitch graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) into a two-dimensional quilt that offers new paths of exploration for materials scientists.

New research from the lab of Pulickel Ajayan, Rice’s Benjamin M. and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Garlic may harbour cancer cure

WASHINGTON – A urine test that can simultaneously measure the extent of a potential carcinogenic process and a marker of garlic consumption in humans has been designed.

In a small pilot study, the test suggested that the more garlic people consumed, the lower …. Original source  : Garlic may harbour cancer cure.

Chinese pandas seen eating bones rather than bamboo

Moscow, March 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Some Chinese pandas have started eating animal bones instead of their traditionally-preferred diet of bamboo, state-run China Central Television has said.

The bizarre change in the endangered creatures’ diet is thought to be due to the large-scale cutting down of bamboo forests in China, says a RIA Novosti report.
According to … Read : Chinese pandas seen eating bones rather than bamboo.

Mass loss from Alaskan glaciers largely overestimated over past 40 years

WASHINGTON – A team of international researchers has said that previous studies have largely overestimated mass loss from Alaskan glaciers over the past 40-plus years.

The research team, led by Etienne Berthier of the Laboratory for Space Studies in Geophysics and Oceanography at the Universite de Toulouse in France, said that …. Read the original article  : Mass loss from Alaskan glaciers largely overestimated over past 40 years.

‘Popcorn of the sea’ not missing, found in Galapagos Islands

WASHINGTON – A research team has found that the barnacle, which is known as the ‘popcorn of the sea’, is not missing, and can be found in vertical upwelling zones in moderately deep waters in the Galapagos Islands.

There’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Popcorn of the sea’ not missing, found in Galapagos Islands.

How to control emotional outbursts in front of your partner

WASHINGTON – Can’t hold back your anger in front of your partner? Well, a part of your brain might be of some help to control those much-regretted emotional storms.

A new study has suggested that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that may help people to … Original source on Gaea Times at : How to control emotional outbursts in front of your partner.

Popular nanoparticle can cause toxicity in fish

WASHINGTON – A study by researchers at Purdue University has shown that a nanoparticle growing in popularity as a bactericidal agent is toxic to fish.

Tested on fathead minnows – an organism often used to test the effects of toxicity on aquatic life – nanosilver suspended … Read more »»».

Child eye injuries from liquid detergent capsules on the rise

LONDON – Eye doctors are asking people to be cautious with the use of liquid capsules for fabric detergents following a wave of child eye injuries.

Rashmi Mathew and Melanie Corbett from The Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London say that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Child eye injuries from liquid detergent capsules on the rise.

Baby monkeys receive environment cues from mother’s milk

WASHINGTON – A new American study suggests that baby rhesus macaque monkeys receive signals about their environment through their mother’s breast milk.

The research, conducted by scientists from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of California, …. Original source  : Baby monkeys receive environment cues from mother’s milk.

Webb Telescope’s first primary mirror meets cold temperature specifications

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that the James Webb Space Telescope’s first primary has met cold temperature specifications, after it was cryo-polished to its required prescription as measured at operational cryogenic temperatures.

This achievement sets the stage … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Webb Telescope’s first primary mirror meets cold temperature specifications.

Black-hole-powered jets create fog of gamma rays

WASHINGTON – Astronomers, using NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, have found that black-hole-powered jets from active galaxies are responsible for almost a third of the ever-present fog of gamma rays outside our galaxy.

“Active galaxies can explain less than 30 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Black-hole-powered jets create fog of gamma rays.

Humidity degrades vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens

WASHINGTON – A new study by Purdue University has shown that high humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens degrades the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight.

Lisa Mauer, a Purdue associate professor of food … Read : Humidity degrades vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens.

Moderate drinking can make memories more painful

WASHINGTON – Moderate alcohol consumption could make memories more painful, claim scientists.
New research at UCL (University College London) claimed that people who have drunk a moderate amount of alcohol before a traumatic event report more flashbacks than those who have had no alcohol.

The …. Original article  : Moderate drinking can make memories more painful.

Heart patient’s own skin cells may soon repair damaged cardiac tissue

WASHINGTON – Thanks to a pioneering stem cell research, it may soon be possible to turn ordinary human skin cells into early-stage heart cells, claims a scientist.

The new technique for reprogramming human skin cells by Robert Schwartz, University of Houston biomedical scientist, puts him … Read more >>.

Learning ‘promotes brain health’

WASHINGTON – Mental activity could stave off age-related cognitive and memory decline, suggest researchers.

UC Irvine neurobiologists have provided the first visual evidence that learning promotes brain health – and that mental stimulation could limit the debilitating effects of aging on memory and the mind.
Using a novel visualization technique …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Learning ‘promotes brain health’.

Claimed “missing link” between humans and early primates refuted by scientists

WASHINGTON – New research work by scientists has indicated that a fossil that was celebrated last year as a possible “missing link” between humans and early primates is actually a forebearer of modern-day lemurs and lorises.

Four scientists present evidence that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Claimed “missing link” between humans and early primates refuted by scientists.

‘You’re only as old as you feel’ really resonates with the elderly

WASHINGTON – How you think about your age may affect how you age, that’s the conclusion of a research from Purdue University.

“How old you are matters, but beyond that it’s your interpretation that has far-reaching implications … Read more : ‘You’re only as old as you feel’ really resonates with the elderly.

Chile quake shifted Earth axis to shorten length of a day, says NASA

WASHINGTON – NASA has announced that the February 27 Chile earthquake was so powerful that it likely shifted an Earth axis and shortened the length of a day.

According to a report in National Geographic News, the estimate is based on new computer-model calculations … Read more : Chile quake shifted Earth axis to shorten length of a day, says NASA.

Chandigarh is high on rainwater harvesting

CHANDIGARH – In addition to its clean, wide roads and thick green cover, the Union Territory of Chandigarh can also boast of successfully running one of the biggest rainwater harvesting projects in the country.

The initiative, which was earlier only aimed at saving the Sukhna Lake, a prominent tourist destination here, has now emerged as …. Original article  : Chandigarh is high on rainwater harvesting.

Bolden, Flowers have double-doubles to lead Southern Miss past Tulane 66-57

Southern Miss holds off Tulane 66-57
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Maurice Bolden and Gary Flowers had double-doubles as Southern Mississippi held off Tulane 66-57 on Tuesday night.

Bolden had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Flowers had 16 points and 11 boards for the Golden Eagles (17-12, 7-8 Conference USA).
Flowers grabbed his final offensive rebound and put it … Read more >>>.

How many tigers does Orissa have?

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa wildlife department is awaiting funds and security clearance to begin the tiger census this month, with figures varying widely on how many of the big cats the state really has.

Although the exact date has not yet been finalised, officials of the state wildlife department said they are preparing to start the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kennecott Minerals wants to amend water permit for planned Upper Peninsula nickel, copper mine

Kennecott wants to amend water permit for UP mine

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – A company preparing to build a nickel and copper mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula wants to change its wastewater treatment system in a way that could negate the requirement for a federal permit, officials said Tuesday.
Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. has asked the Michigan …. Read the original article  : Kennecott Minerals wants to amend water permit for planned Upper Peninsula nickel, copper mine.

Voters use privilege from colonial days to weigh-in on closure of leaky Vermont nuclear plant

In Vermont, unease over aging, leaky nuke plant

WAITSFIELD, Vt. – In their annual town meeting on Tuesday, folks in this Vermont ski town voted on a town budget, debated the need for a new roof on the fire department building and adjourned at lunchtime to nosh on Tracey Coutts’ famous “yummy chicken pieces” casserole and …. Source article  : Voters use privilege from colonial days to weigh-in on closure of leaky Vermont nuclear plant.

2010 El Nino affecting North Pacific Ocean ecosystems adversely

WASHINGTON – Scientists at NOAA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, US, have revealed that the ongoing El Nino of 2010 is affecting north Pacific Ocean ecosystems in ways that could affect the West Coast fishing industry.

Researchers … Read more »».

How brain cells are possessed and damaged by demons of dementia

WASHINGTON – A new study has shed light on how Amyloid-Beta found in cerebral plaques, typically present in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, leads to neurodegeneration.

Researchers from EPFL’s (Ecole Polytechnique Fidirale de Lausanne) Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Cellular Dynamics in Lausanne … Read more »»».

How plants identify and block invading bacteria

WASHINGTON – A new study is trying to understand how plants defend themselves from bacterial infections, which may help scientists understand how people and other animals could be better protected from such pathogens.

The study observed a specific bacteria that infects tomatoes but normally does not bother the common laboratory plant arabidopsis.
Researchers … Original article on : How plants identify and block invading bacteria.

Mini-thrusters may help satellites to search for exoplanets

WASHINGTON – The US Air Force is eyeing mini- thrusters or miniature, electric propulsion systems, to make it easier for their satellites to perform space maneuvers and undertake formidable tasks like searching for planets beyond our solar system.

With Air Force Office of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mini-thrusters may help satellites to search for exoplanets.

Choice of university degree not linked to personality traits

WASHINGTON – Personality does not have an influence when choosing a professional career, according to a new study.

The findings by researchers from the University of Cadiz (UCA) were based on interviews and questionnaires carried out on 735 secondary school students from the province …. Original source  : Choice of university degree not linked to personality traits.

Atlantic longarm octopus is ‘master of disguise’ of the seas

WASHINGTON – New observations suggest that the Atlantic longarm octopus is the master of disguise in the seas, as it has evolved a unique skin system that can instantaneously change its appearance and make it look like a flounder.

MBL Senior Scientist and cephalopod expert Roger Hanlon and … Original article on : Atlantic longarm octopus is ‘master of disguise’ of the seas.

Novel approach for leukaemia treatment discovered

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists has discovered how leukaemia cells become ‘addicted’ to genes, which if targeted could prevent diseased cells from developing.

The team, led by Dr Veronika Sexl from the University of Vienna, conducted their research on acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) and chronic myelogenous …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Potential biomarkers for predicting colon cancer spread

WASHINGTON – A research team in China has identified two proteins present in the blood of people with colon cancer that may serve as the potential biomarkers for accurately predicting whether the disease will spread.

Surgery is the main method of treating the disease. However, half of colon cancer …. Original article  : Potential biomarkers for predicting colon cancer spread.

Preventing mosquitoes from urinating may help control disease spread

WASHINGTON – American researchers have discovered a new protein that may help control disease-spreading mosquitoes.

The study conducted by Cornell scientists has appeared in the March 4, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.
The researchers identified a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Japanese scientist develops ‘painless’ injection

LONDON – If you have always dreaded an injection, a Japanese researcher has given you a big reason to smile by developing a painless new vaccine delivery technique.

Kanji Takada, a professor of pharmacokinetics (the study of the absorption, distribution and fate of substances delivered to the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chile Earthquake: Earth’s Axis Shifts

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Richard Gross, a geophysicist working with the NASA, has reported that the massive earthquake that hit Chile last Saturday has brought about some permanent changes in the geography of the earth. The effects of the Chile earthquake are being compared to those that had been brought about by the earthquake that had … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Chile Earthquake: Earth’s Axis Shifts.

Antifreeze proteins can stop ice melt (Re-Issue)

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the same antifreeze proteins that keep organisms from freezing in cold environments also can prevent ice from melting at warmer temperatures.

Researchers at the Ohio University and Queen’s University carried out the study.
Antifreeze proteins are found in insects, fish, bacteria and other organisms that need to survive in … Read more >>>.

Ancient ’space blast’ over Antarctica similar to Tunguska event of 1908

LONDON – A new research has suggested that a large space rock may have exploded over Antarctica thousands of years ago, showering a large area with debris, similar to the Tunguska event of 1908.

According to a report in BBC News, the evidence comes from accumulations of tiny meteoritic particles and a layer of extraterrestrial dust … Read more >>>.

Black holes may play important role in evolution of galaxies

WASHINGTON – New observations from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory indicate that “average” supermassive black holes may play an important role in the evolution of the galaxies in which they reside, as powerful winds blowing away from the vicinity of such a black hole may shape galaxies.

For years, astronomers have known that a supermassive black hole … Read more »».

Measuring pain from the outside may soon be a reality

LONDON – Scientists are working on developing a technique that may help them measure pain from the outside.

Tara Renton of King’s College London has come up with an alternative way of analysing functional MRI scans called arterial spin labelling (ASL) to measure how much oxygenated blood is flowing through particular areas.
Renton and her team scanned …. Source article  : Measuring pain from the outside may soon be a reality.

Hand-held home device could ease migraine sufferers’ pain

LONDON – A new hand-held device could prove to be an alternative treatment in relieving migraine sufferers from pain, a trial of the gadget has shown.

Experts from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York tested the safety and effectiveness of the device that can be used at home.
Boffins found 40 per cent of …. Read the original article  : here.

Through a glass, sparkly: Jewel-like curtains on windows would generate solar power

Solar energy with jewel-like curtains on windows

TROY, N.Y. – Cityscapes of glass-clad buildings gleaming in the sun make Anna Dyson think about wasted energy.
Dyson heads the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology, or CASE, a research consortium that wants to turn office windows into multifaceted solar power generators. Their “integrated concentrating dynamic solar facade” consists …. Source article  : Through a glass, sparkly: Jewel-like curtains on windows would generate solar power.

Climate change one big factor in malaria spread

WASHINGTON – Climate change has been found to be one of the biggest reasons behind malaria spread, but researchers have said that other factors such as migration and land-use changes are also likely to play a role.

The research aims to sort out contradictions that have …. Source  : Climate change one big factor in malaria spread.

A total of 160 species live inside our guts

LONDON – In what could be called as a big feat in microbial research, researchers have decoded all the bacterial genes found in the human gut-a total of 160 species.

The discovery has far-reaching implications for human health and well being, and could even be used to predict chronic …. Read the original article  : here.

China to launch second lunar probe in October

NEW DELHI – Reports indicate that China plans to launch the Chang’e-2, the country’s second lunar probe, in October this year.

“The satellite would be launched on a Long March 3-C carrier rocket,” said Liang Xiaohong, Party chief of the China Academy of …. Original article  : China to launch second lunar probe in October.

Key cause of chronic leukemia progression identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists in the US have discovered why a form of leukemia progresses from its more-treatable chronic phase to a life-threatening phase called blast crisis.

They found that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) progresses when immature white blood cells lose a molecule called miR-328.
Loss of the molecule traps the …. Read the original article  : Key cause of chronic leukemia progression identified.

The crowding effect is anything but random, say experts

WASHINGTON – A new study suggests that crowding effect in vision is not as random as it has been thought to be – the phenomenon makes the world appear more regular by essentially ‘blending’ nearby objects together.

When a person is reading, the word directly in front is usually clear, … Original source on Gaea Times at : The crowding effect is anything but random, say experts.

Lava likely made river-like meandering channel on Mars

WASHINGTON – New research indicates that flowing lava can carve or build paths very much like the riverbeds and canyons etched by water, which probably explains at least one of the meandering channels on the surface of Mars.

Whether channels on Mars were formed by water or by lava has been …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Lava likely made river-like meandering channel on Mars.

Exotic winter-flowering plants keep bees busy during cold months

WASHINGTON – An unusual rise in the number of bees in the cold winter months has been observed in the recent years, and scientists have now discovered the reason behind it.

Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London have found that while most bees are hibernating, the buff-tailed …. Original source  : Exotic winter-flowering plants keep bees busy during cold months.

Lizard moms pick larger mates to have sons, smaller for daughters

WASHINGTON – Brown anole lizards are pretty clever when it comes to choosing males to father their kids-they mate with large fathers to produce more sons and go for smaller fathers to produce more daughters, revealed two …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Lizard moms pick larger mates to have sons, smaller for daughters.

New approach to trapping sunlight with silicon nanowires

WASHINGTON – Researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) are developing a new approach, which would use silicon nanowires to better trap sunlight for future renewable green energy equations.

Although there are silicon photovoltaics that can convert sunlight into electricity at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New approach to trapping sunlight with silicon nanowires.

Moon’s biggest crater exposes its hidden lower crust

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that the biggest and deepest crater on the Moon can provide glimpses of the hidden lower crust of Earth’s natural satellite.

Shortly after the Moon formed, an asteroid smacked into its southern hemisphere and gouged out a truly enormous crater, …. Original article  : Moon’s biggest crater exposes its hidden lower crust.

Finding on sage grouse could significantly affect renewable energy, oil and gas, in West

Interior to announce sage grouse finding Friday

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Interior Department plans to announce whether it will pursue endangered species protection for sage grouse, a decision with major ramifications for the West’s renewable energy and oil and gas industries.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to say Friday whether the department will pursue listing the …. Read the original article  : Finding on sage grouse could significantly affect renewable energy, oil and gas, in West.

Lip-reading cellphone allows for soundless communication

WASHINGTON – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology researchers have developed the phone of the future, a lip-reading cell that allows for soundless communication.

The software by German researchers enables people to move their mouths silently and to have the motion be picked up … Read : Lip-reading cellphone allows for soundless communication.

‘Mischievous’ gut bugs could be making you fat

WASHINGTON – You can blame bacteria in your stomach for those unwanted pounds. A new study claims that the bugs, which are found in the digestive tract, boost appetite.

They also appear to cause cholesterol and blood pressure problems and raise the odds of diabetes and liver …. Source  : ‘Mischievous’ gut bugs could be making you fat.

Computers ‘understand women more than men’

LONDON – Voice recognition computers find men harder to understand than women, Edinburgh University scientists have found.

In the study, researchers recorded phone calls and studied how much of conversations a recognition system could understand, and after analyses they discovered that computers … Read : Computers ‘understand women more than men’.

Women of greater genetic diversity have more sex partners

SYDNEY – Women of greater genetic diversity have more sexual partners, concludes a new study.
After showing a series of genes linked to the immune system, Western Australia researchers say it can be explained why some women are more sexually successful than others.

The genes are thought to make them more attractive to potential partners.
According to professor …. Source  : Women of greater genetic diversity have more sex partners.

Evidence of sea ice extending to equator 715 mln yrs ago hints at “snowball Earth”

WASHINGTON – In a new research, geologists have found evidence that sea ice extended to the equator 716.5 million years ago, which gives weight to the theory of a “snowball Earth” event long suspected to have taken place around that time.

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by scientists at …. Original source  : Evidence of sea ice extending to equator 715 mln yrs ago hints at “snowball Earth”.

Scientists discover most massive form of antimatter to date

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists studying high-energy collisions of gold ions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has published evidence of the most massive antinucleus discovered to date.

The RHIC is a 2.4-mile-circumference particle accelerator located at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory.
The new antinucleus, discovered at RHIC’s STAR detector, …. Original source  : Scientists discover most massive form of antimatter to date.

Organic food advocates say San Francisco is giving community gardeners toxic sludge as compost

Claim: San Francisco giving gardeners toxic sludge

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco wears its environmental consciousness like a green badge of honor. Residents separate and recycle their food scraps. Streets close to cars so people can walk and bike them. A city department even gives away “high-quality, nutrient-rich, organic bio-solids compost” to any and all takers.
But …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Organic food advocates say San Francisco is giving community gardeners toxic sludge as compost.

Now, You Tube videos to come with captions for deaf people

LONDON – YouTube videos can now be more accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing thanks to new automatic captions technology.

The feature will initially apply to English language videos, but other languages will be added in future.
The Google-owned company has claimed the use of speech recognition technology is probably the biggest experiment of its … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, You Tube videos to come with captions for deaf people.

Mars Express smoothly skims past enigmatic Phobos

PARIS – Reports indicate that Mars Express has smoothly skimmed past Phobos at just 67 km, the closest any manmade object has ever approached Mars’ enigmatic moon.

The data collected could help unlock the origin of not just Phobos but other ’second generation’ moons.
Phobos looks like a solid object but previous flybys have shown that it … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mars Express smoothly skims past enigmatic Phobos.

Experimental vaccine shows promise against chikungunya

LONDON – Scientists have developed an experimental vaccine for chikungunya virus and successfully tested it in monkeys.

The vaccine, developed by at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Purdue University and Bioqual Inc, is composed of non-infectious “virus-like particles.”
Although coated with the same proteins that enable … Read more »».

Soon, helicopter that would investigate nuclear disasters

WASHINGTON – An engineering team at Virginia Tech University is developing an autonomous helicopter that would analyse the after-effects of nuclear disasters.

Roughly six feet long and weighing 200 pounds, the re-engineered aircraft- being developed by students at Virginia Tech’s Unmanned Systems Laboratory- would assist military investigators.
The helicopters would enter an American city after a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soon, helicopter that would investigate nuclear disasters.

Diabetes ‘leads to diminished brain power’

LONDON – Diabetic retinopathy could be associated with poorer memory and diminished brain power in people with Type 2 diabetes, according to a new research.

For the study, researchers at Edinburgh University looked at 1,066 people with type 2 diabetes aged between 60 and 75.
Participants in the study completed seven tests focusing on memory, logic and … Read more >>.

New system to monitor historical monuments by remote control to detect damage

WASHINGTON – A team of engineers from the University of Seville in the US has created a system for monitoring historical monuments by remote control and detecting possible damage.

Five years ago, the researchers placed various sensors … Read more »».

Exploring enigmatic coneflower’s origins may help treat human ailments

WASHINGTON – A scientist is helping to sort through the jumbled origins of Echinacea, the coneflower known for its blossoms, which has the potential for treating infections, inflammation, and other human ailments.

Only a few … Original source on Gaea Times at : Exploring enigmatic coneflower’s origins may help treat human ailments.

Templar ‘crucifixion nail’ found on Portuguese island a fantasy, says archaeologist

WASHINGTON – An archaeologist has determined that the alleged discovery of three Templar skeletons and a ‘crucifixion nail’ dating from the Roman era on the Portuguese island of Madeira is nothing but “a fantasy”.

According to a report …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Templar ‘crucifixion nail’ found on Portuguese island a fantasy, says archaeologist.

Global warming making Tibet’s environment much more fragile than before

NEW DELHI – Reports indicate that the impact of global warming is affecting the ecological environment of Southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region, accelerating glacial shrinkage, reducing snow and increasing land desertification.

“Global climate change has made Tibet’s environment much more …. Read the original article  : here.

Study sheds light on memory and learning

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have delved into the question-Are we over estimating remembering and underestimating learning?

Led by Nate Kornell, an assistant professor of psychology at Williams College, and Robert A. Bjork of the …. Original article  : Study sheds light on memory and learning.

Singapore can whet its thirst for rice by helping farmers become water-wise

WASHINGTON – A scientist has said that in spite of competition for water getting fiercer and dwindling of water supplies, Singapore can contribute to securing its rice supply by joining the global community in helping farmers become water-wise.

This is the key message from Dr. Bas Bouman …. Original source  : Singapore can whet its thirst for rice by helping farmers become water-wise.

Dark and dangerous asteroids spotted lurking unseen near Earth’s orbit

LONDON – Reports indicate that an infrared space telescope has spotted several very dark asteroids that have been lurking unseen near Earth’s orbit.

Called the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), the new NASA telescope launched on 14 December on a mission to map the entire sky at infrared wavelengths.
It began its survey in mid-January.
In its first …. Original article  : Dark and dangerous asteroids spotted lurking unseen near Earth’s orbit.

How to get drunk without suffering a hangover

LONDON – Adding oxygen bubbles to drinks could help avoid those splitting headaches after all-night drinking sessions, experts have observed.

Researchers at Chungnam National University in Korea found punters drinking the oxygenated alcohol sobered up about 30 minutes faster than those drinking normal alcohol.
Dr Kwang-il Kwon, who helped lead the study, suggested putting oxygen in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How to get drunk without suffering a hangover.

Egyptian queen was offered bread and beer during her funeral 4,000 years ago

WASHINGTON – A translation of the hieroglyphics engraved on white stone in the tomb of a 4,000-year-old Egyptian queen has suggested that she was offered a loaf of bread and a jug of beer during her funeral.

Known as the “Pyramid Texts,” these hieroglyphics represent the oldest body of Egyptian religious writings and were widely in …. Read the original article  : here.

Radiation from thunderstorms can equal 400 chest x-rays for airplane passengers

WASHINGTON – In a new study, scientists have found that airplane passengers flying near thunderstorms could be exposed to dangerously high levels of radiation in the form of terrestrial gamma ray flashes, which is equal to 400 chest x-rays.

In space gamma rays-the most energetic forms of light-are created by violent events, such as supernovae, and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Radiation from thunderstorms can equal 400 chest x-rays for airplane passengers.

Heavier monkey moms produce better milk

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that heavier monkey moms that have given birth before produce higher quality breast milk, resulting in infants that are more playful and confident than their pals.

However, for the first-time monkey moms that weighed less, the …. Source  : Heavier monkey moms produce better milk.

Some gorillas may eat monkeys

WASHINGTON – A recent study that found monkey DNA in the feces of wild African mountain gorillas, has hinted that some gorilla species eat monkeys, and are not entirely vegetarian as earlier presumed.

While some zoo specimens are known to eat meat, wild gorillas eat only plants and fruit, along …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Some gorillas may eat monkeys.

Australian police search anti-whaling activist ships that harassed Japanese hunt

Australian police search anti-whaling ships

ADELAIDE, Australia – Australian police conducted searches Saturday on two anti-whaling vessels that recently clashed with Japanese ships in the Antarctic Ocean in an attempt to obstruct their annual catch, police and activists said.
Federal police with search warrants boarded the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker, ships belonging to the activist … Read more >>.

Male mice drive females wild with ultrasonic love ballads

WASHINGTON – Male mice sing ultrasonic love songs to woo females, a new study has found.
The ultrasonic songs vary widely, with some winning males emitting tunes that prove irresistible to females.nd as the song quality varies among males, the songs help females to choose the best mates.

However, it is not known what exactly makes a …. Source article  : Male mice drive females wild with ultrasonic love ballads.

Now, ‘hearing’ maps to help architects ward off unwanted noise in rooms

WASHINGTON – Cardiff University scientists have come up with innovative sound-mapping software based on human hearing, which will help architects design out unwanted noise.

The new software generates audibility maps of proposed room designs, which show hotspots where conversations would not be intelligible if the room were busy.
These maps Architects can then adjust their designs to … Read more >>.

Smile genuinely to live longer

LONDON – Here’s the secret to live a grand old age – smile, and make sure you mean it, says a new research.

Pro baseball players in the 1950s who genuinely beamed in their official photographs tended to outlive more sullen-looking sportsmen and those who put on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Smile genuinely to live longer.

9/11 attack tops Yahoo! Searches

LONDON – The September 11 terrorist attacks on New York’s twin towers has ranked top in the list of online news searches in the last 15 years, according to a new study by Yahoo! shows.

Cloning and the Iraq war followed the attack at the World Trade … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 9/11 attack tops Yahoo! Searches.

RockTenn raises prices on recycled paperboard products by $45 per ton

RockTenn raises prices on recycled paperboard

NORCROSS, Ga. – RockTenn said Friday it has raised the prices it charges by $45 per ton on certain coated recycled paperboard products.
The products include Classic News, AngelCote and MillMask recycled paperboard products. The increases are effective with shipments beginning April 6.
RockTenn, based in Norcross, Ga., makes paperboard, container board …. Read the original article  : RockTenn raises prices on recycled paperboard products by $45 per ton.

Xcel promises to cut Colorado pollution by 2017

Xcel promises to cut pollution in Colorado

DENVER – Xcel Energy is promising to cut air pollution over the next seven years.
A deal announced Friday by Gov. Bill Ritter, the company and lawmakers will require Xcel to reduce pollutants by retiring or modifying Front Range coal-fired power plants by 2017.
The power plants would be replaced by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Xcel promises to cut Colorado pollution by 2017.

Petroleum groups relieved sage grouse won’t be listed as threatened or endangered in West

Energy groups relieved sage grouse won’t be listed

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – An Interior Department announcement Friday that it won’t list sage grouse as an endangered or threatened species opens the way for continued development of the West’s wind energy and oil and gas industries.
Those industries will still face scrutiny in sage grouse habitat but much less … Original article on : Petroleum groups relieved sage grouse won’t be listed as threatened or endangered in West.

Apple’s ‘iKey’ to replace the humble door key

LONDON – Computer giant Apple is set to revolutionize the traditional door key with introduction of a hi-tech alternative nicknamed the ‘iKey’.

It means people can stop carrying around a bunch of keys, and instead use a single electronic device to unlock their car, front door and gain access to their office.
The technology simply requires the … Read more : Apple’s ‘iKey’ to replace the humble door key.

Radiation ineffective after mastectomy, says study

WASHINGTON – Radiation may not help most early-stage breast cancer patients after mastectomy, a new American research has revealed.

The study, conducted by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer, found low present-day risk of recurrence following modern surgery and systemic therapy.
The research demonstrated that stage I and II patients, without spread to …. Original source  : Radiation ineffective after mastectomy, says study.

Meet Snackbot: robot that serves snacks!

LONDON – American scientists have created a new robot that can deliver snacks.
Paul Rybski and colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, came up with the “snackbot” after two years of research.

The 20,000-dollar robot comes complete with laser navigation, sonar sensors and a Point Grey Bumblebee 2 stereo camera that function as its eyes.
A New York … Read more : Meet Snackbot: robot that serves snacks!.

Pigeons outdo humans at solving ‘Monty Hall’ problem

WASHINGTON – Pigeons are better off than humans, when it comes to solving the ‘Monty Hall’ problem.

The new findings – involving the pigeons superior ability to solve a perplexing statistical problem – might in turn shed light on why humans are bad at solving certain kinds of problems, scientists added.
The so-called Monty Hall problem is … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pigeons outdo humans at solving ‘Monty Hall’ problem.

People dress pets like humans to feel in control

WASHINGTON – People tend to name their pets and cars, because they feel more in control and connected, claims a psychologist.

Psychology researcher Adam Waytz of Harvard University, insists that people anthropomorphize, the act of attributing human traits to non-humans, to feel connected to environment.
As part of his study, Waytz and his team asked people to … Read more >>.

Conserving and restoring moorlands can slow down climate change

WASHINGTON – Scientists have stressed that conserving and restoring the moorlands is important because they are some of the rarest habitats in the world, home to extremely rare animals and plants, and can also slow down climate change.

Seventy-five per cent of the world’s heather moorlands are in the UK. However, pollution, overgrazing and wild fires … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Conserving and restoring moorlands can slow down climate change.

Scientists find glitch in common digital security system

WASHINGTON – Computer scientists at University of Michigan have found a major flaw in a most common digital security technique used to protect both media copyright and Internet communications.

The experts claim that they could foil RSA authentication system by varying the voltage supply to the holder of the “private key,” which would be the consumer’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Encroaching woody plants don’t slurp up water

WASHINGTON – A study by researchers at the Texas A and M University, US, has suggested that the assumption that encroaching woody plants slurp up water and drain nearby rivers in a particular area, is not true, and clearing these plants might make drought worse.

The assumption is the driving force behind efforts from Texas to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Improved technology a must to feed world’s projected 9 billion people by 2050

WASHINGTON – A top agricultural economist has determined that technology that can enhance food production will be a significant asset, in order to feed a world population projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050.

The academician in question is Ted Schroeder, university distinguished professor of agricultural economics, Kansas State University.
He said that dramatically increased food … Read more : Improved technology a must to feed world’s projected 9 billion people by 2050.

Eruption of Alaska’s Redoubt Volcano sparked new type of lightning

WASHINGTON – Three-dimensional imaging has shown that the eruption of Alaska’s Redoubt Volcano last year, created a new type of lightning, in the form of small, quick sparks.

“We long suspected that the first eruption might be different – and it was,” University of Alaska volcano seismologist Stephen McNutt, told Discovery News.
By monitoring seismic data, researchers … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Eruption of Alaska’s Redoubt Volcano sparked new type of lightning.

Growing support for ‘hobbit’ as distinct species

Growing support for ‘hobbit’ as distinct species

Here is what other scientists have discovered about Homo floriensis, “the hobbit”:
-An analysis of the teeth from at least three hobbits found traits similar to early Homo species or Australopithecus, which lived in Africa between 3.8 million and 2.9 million years ago. The research by Peter Brown and Tomoko … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Growing support for ‘hobbit’ as distinct species.

Tenn. hospitality association CEO sends e-mail comparing first lady to Tarzan’s Cheeta

E-mail compares first lady to Tarzan’s Cheeta

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The CEO of Tennessee’s hospitality association is apologizing for sending an e-mail to a group of public figures that compares first lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee.
The Tennessean of Nashville reports that Tennessee Hospitality Association CEO Walt Baker’s e-mail compares the first lady to Tarzan sidekick … Read more >>>.

Galileo’s early research may have led him to support Earth as center of Universe

ASHINGTON – A physicist has determined that if Galileo Galilei had followed the results of his observations to their logical conclusion, he should have backed the view that Earth didn’t move, and that everything else circled around it and the Sun.

According to a report in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Galileo’s early research may have led him to support Earth as center of Universe.

UK event to make Internet users more security conscious

WASHINGTON – It has emerged that Sunderland City Council has teamed up with a group of academic researchers to put on an exciting interactive event aimed at making Internet users more aware of the problems of disclosing personal information online.

The event forms part …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UK event to make Internet users more security conscious.

Teaching kids self-control skills reduces classroom problems

WASHINGTON – Children who are taught self-control skills, such as monitoring and controlling anger and other emotions, face significantly fewer school disciplinary referrals and suspensions, says a study.

Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center found that mentoring kids has a significant impact on their behaviour in the classroom.
The study’s principal author Peter Wyman, associate professor …. Source  : Teaching kids self-control skills reduces classroom problems.

Nokia develops self-charging cellphone

LONDON – Experts have come up with a cellphone that can recharge its own battery by harvesting energy from the owner’s motion.

The self-charging handset by Nokia, who has already filed for a US patent, was predicted to work with heavier components, such as the radio transmitter circuit and battery, supported on a sturdy frame.
The frame … Read : Nokia develops self-charging cellphone.

Idle talk can make you unhappy

LONDON – Idle chit chat can make people unhappy, claims a new study.
A team of American psychologists from the University of Arizona studied if happy and unhappy people differed because of the types of conversations they had.

They asked a team of volunteers to wear an unobtrusive device called an Electronically Activated Recorder for four days, … Read more >>.

Virus infections may lead to gluten intolerance

LONDON – Virus infections may be a contributing factor in onset of gluten intolerance (coeliac disease), a new research suggests.

Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune reaction in the small intestine. The gluten that occurs naturally in grains such as wheat, barley and rye causes damage to the intestinal villi, problems with nutrient absorption and potentially other … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Virus infections may lead to gluten intolerance.

New strategy to give fingerprint for genes involved in endocytosis

LONDON – By applying a new strategy, researchers at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics can now identify and characterize genes involved in endocytosis.

Endocytosis is the process by which cells ingest substances from the external environment. If affected, it can lead to infectious diseases or cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, Huntington’s and diabetes.
For the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New strategy to give fingerprint for genes involved in endocytosis.

A look at federal reservoirs being used for water supply without initial authorizations

A look at reservoirs used for water supply

WASHINGTON – A list of federal reservoirs by state that were not initially authorized for water supply but are now being used for that purpose:
ARKANSAS – Lake Ouachita, DeGray Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Nimrod Lake, Norfork Lake
GEORGIA – Carters Dam and Lake, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : A look at federal reservoirs being used for water supply without initial authorizations.

Why ginger hair is common among Scots

LONDON – Blame the prevalence of ginger hair among the Scottish people on genes and even the weather, says a new study.

A genetics research student Emily Pritchard, 26, revealed her insights in an article about her sister’s red hair … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why ginger hair is common among Scots.

Pioneering ‘brainwashing’ treatment saves lives of premature babies

WASHINGTON – Scientists in the UK have come up with a pioneering ‘brainwashing’ procedure they believe will slash the number of premature babies suffering severe disabilities.

The technique involves removing potentially harmful toxic fluids from the [..] Read the original article: here.

Four in five people feel Internet access should be ‘a fundamental right’

LONDON – Almost four in five people feel that access to the World Wide Web is a fundamental right, according to a survey.

The poll for the BBC World Service, which quizzed more than 27,000 adults across 26 countries, found that 87 per … Read more >>.

Hitler Youth infiltrated Britain’s boy scouts in 1930s

LONDON – Secret intelligence papers have revealed that Britain’s Boy Scout movement was infiltrated by the Hitler Youth in the 1930s.

According to a report in the Daily Express, the Scouts were targeted by hundreds of Nazi teenagers sent on cycling tours of England, Scotland … Read : Hitler Youth infiltrated Britain’s boy scouts in 1930s.

Humans driving extinction faster than new species can evolve

LONDON – One of the world’s experts on biodiversity has warned that humans are driving animals and plants to extinction faster than new species can evolve.

According to a report in the Guardian, the expert in question is Simon Stuart, … Original article on : Humans driving extinction faster than new species can evolve.

Civilization in Malaysia might have been oldest in South-east Asia

KUALA LUMPUR – The Sungai Batu archeological site in the Bujang Valley in Malaysia has proven that civilization in this country had started much earlier and was the oldest in South-east Asia.

According to a report in Malaysian News Agency … Read : Civilization in Malaysia might have been oldest in South-east Asia.

Gene site linked to food allergy identified

LONDON – Scientists have discovered the first major gene location responsible for a severe, often painful type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

In this disease, which may cause weight loss, vomiting, heartburn and swallowing difficulties, a patient may be unable to eat a wide variety of …. Read the original article  : Gene site linked to food allergy identified.

Scientists discover new way of producing electricity

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists at MIT has discovered a previously unknown phenomenon that can cause powerful waves of energy to shoot through minuscule wires known as carbon nanotubes, a discovery that could lead to a new way of producing …. Source  : Scientists discover new way of producing electricity.

Scientists transform polyethylene into a heat-conducting material

WASHINGTON – A research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has found a way to transform the most widely used polymer, polyethylene, into a material that conducts heat just as well as most …. Original article  : Scientists transform polyethylene into a heat-conducting material.

Study casts doubts on safety of invisible nano-sunscreens

MELBOURNE – While nano-sunscreens are considered very effective, a new Aussie modelling study has claimed that even the most effective nanoparticles in some invisible sunscreens might be the most toxic.

Dr Amanda Barnard of CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Study casts doubts on safety of invisible nano-sunscreens.

How HIV escapes treatment

LONDON – The AIDS virus, HIV, can dodge treatment by staying dormant inside progenitor blood cells that develop into immune cells.

These cellular reservoirs are resistant to the immune response of the host and the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) administered to patients.
This means that the virus can attack …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : How HIV escapes treatment.

Face of 2000 yr old Egyptian mummy reconstructed

BARCELONA – Reports indicate that the Quiron Hospital of Barcelona has reconstructed the face of an Egyptian mummy from 2000 years ago.

According to a report in the Barcelona Reporter, the presentation of the newly reconstructed face was given by Drs Felix Scales, Xavier Perich and Jordi Clos, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Face of 2000 yr old Egyptian mummy reconstructed.

Anti-social music ‘increases aggression in youngsters’

MELBOURNE – Music with anti-social content makes youngsters more aggressive, according to an expert.

Dr Wayne Warburton, a Macquarie University psychology expert, insisted violent music videos could encourage aggressive mindset.
“Across three decades, research has converged to suggest that exposure to music with violent themes increases the [..] Read the original article: here.

Oscar day has arrived! After all the anticipation, it’s time for the 82nd Academy Awards

After much anticipation, it’s finally Oscar time

LOS ANGELES – The big day is here.
Anticipation for the Academy Awards has been building all week, and finally, it’s time.
The entire area around the Kodak Theatre is closed. Traffic is shut down on Hollywood Boulevard. Tourists can only get as close to the action as barricades and security …. Original article  : Oscar day has arrived! After all the anticipation, it’s time for the 82nd Academy Awards.

US grant program that restored Rosa Parks’ bus, star-spangled banner is now endangered

Grants that saved historic relics now endangered
WASHINGTON – As Hillary Rodham Clinton was leaving the White House, she asked Laura Bush first lady to first lady to continue one program if nothing else – the historic preservation program Save America’s Treasures.
Mrs. Bush said she knew about the project and pledged to see it …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

AIDS virus avoids drugs by hiding in bone marrow; finding could point way to better treatment

Researchers: AIDS virus can hide in bone marrow

WASHINGTON – The virus that causes AIDS can hide in the bone marrow, avoiding drugs and later awakening to cause illness, according to new research that could point the way toward better treatments for the disease.
Finding that hide-out is a first step, but years of research lie ahead.
Dr. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AIDS virus avoids drugs by hiding in bone marrow; finding could point way to better treatment.

Next step beyond: Obama calls for April conference in Fla. on future of human space flight

Obama sets conference on future of space program
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama plans to host a conference in Florida next month on his administration’s approach to the next step in space exploration.
The White House says Obama and top officials as well as leaders in space will discuss the future of U.S. efforts in …. Read the original article  : here.

Aaron Cohen, former head of Johnson Space Center, pioneer of shuttle program, dies in Texas

Former head of Johnson Space Center dies in Texas

HOUSTON – Aaron Cohen, the former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center who helped create the space shuttle program, has died in College Station after a long fight with cancer. He was 79.
Cohen was named director of the Johnson Space Center in 1986 after the space shuttle … Read more »».

Manuscript of Albert Einstein’s famous relativity theory displayed in entirety for first time

Einstein’s relativity manuscript goes on display

JERUSALEM – The original manuscript of Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking theory of relativity, which helps explain everything from black holes to the Big Bang, went on display Sunday in its entirety for the first time.
Einstein’s 46-page handwritten explanation of his general theory of relativity, in which he demonstrates an expanding universe …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Manuscript of Albert Einstein’s most famous theory goes on display in Israel for first time

Einstein first complete manuscript goes on display

JERUSALEM – The original manuscript of Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking theory of relativity has gone on display in its entirety for the first time.
The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Jerusalem began exhibiting the 46-page handwritten document on Sunday as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.
In the document, Einstein …. Source  : Manuscript of Albert Einstein’s most famous theory goes on display in Israel for first time.

New asthma program to specifically help teens

WASHINGTON – A teen-specific asthma program could help people in rural areas to manage their disease and avoid potentially fatal complications, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.

Black males have a death rate from asthma that is six … Read more »»».

Warfarin users more vulnerable to brain bleeding after stroke treatment

WASHINGTON – Warfarin users appear more likely to develop brain haemorrhage following stroke treatment with the anticoagulant, a new study has found.

The report, posted online, will be published in the May print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of …. Read the original article  : Warfarin users more vulnerable to brain bleeding after stroke treatment.

Clamshells may provide most detailed record yet of global climate change

LONDON – A team of scientists, who studied a haul of ancient Icelandic mollusks, has said that oxygen isotopes in clamshells may provide the most detailed record yet of global climate change.

Most measures of palaeoclimate provide data on only average annual temperatures, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Clamshells may provide most detailed record yet of global climate change.

Obesity may protect against metabolic syndrome

WASHINGTON – While metabolic syndrome is apparently related to obesity, researchers have said that the link is not just negative.

Metabolic syndrome is characterised by-insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke- all of which are related to obesity.
But, Roger …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New smartphone app exposes vulnerability to hackers

LONDON – Experts have developed a smartphone application called ‘WeatherFistBadMonkey’ to illustrate new threat ‘botnet’ that has hit the cyber world.

Derek Brown and Danny Tijerina at TippingPoint, a computer security firm in Austin, Texas, had first developed … Read more : New smartphone app exposes vulnerability to hackers.

‘Magnetic quantum dots’ could lead to faster and more efficient computers

SYDNEY – Reports indicate that an international team of scientists has developed a new type of semiconductor called ‘magnetic quantum dots’ that could lead to faster and more efficient computers with over double the average existing hard drive storage capacity.

According to a report in ABC …. Original article  : ‘Magnetic quantum dots’ could lead to faster and more efficient computers.

Minister: Israel wants to build nuclear plants to secure energy supplies, fight global warming

Israel wants to build nuclear power plants

PARIS – Israel’s infrastructure minister says his country wants to build nuclear power plants in cooperation with its Arab neighbors.
Uzi Landau says all nuclear plants built in Israel will be subject to strict safety and security controls.
He told a nuclear conference in Paris on Tuesday that “Israel has always … Read : Minister: Israel wants to build nuclear plants to secure energy supplies, fight global warming.

Consumer goods waste large quantities of water to be made

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that consumer goods can take a large quantity of water to be made.

According to a report in Discovery News, the study, carried out by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in the US, showed that industries use jaw-dropping amounts in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Consumer goods waste large quantities of water to be made.

Breadth of cheekbones may convey males’ trustworthiness

WASHINGTON – You can know whether or not a man is trustworthy by the breadth of his cheekbones, claims a new study.

The study has been published in the journal Psychological Science.
In the research, lead researcher Michael Stirrat … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Breadth of cheekbones may convey males’ trustworthiness.

Scientists solve mystery of high-CO2 Ice Age

LONDON – A team of scientists has claimed to have solved the mystery about the so-called high level of carbon dioxide (CO2) present in the atmosphere during the big ice age 444 million years ago.

The Ordovician ice age happened 444 million …. Original article  : Scientists solve mystery of high-CO2 Ice Age.

How ‘cosmic electric toaster’ puffs up planets to gigantic size

LONDON – In a new study, scientists have explained how a planet-sized version of an electric toaster heats up some exoplanets to puff up to gigantic size.

More than 150 planets have been found orbiting closer to their host stars than Mercury is to the sun.
Many of these star-hugging gas … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How ‘cosmic electric toaster’ puffs up planets to gigantic size.

New experiment shows how to see through opaque materials

WASHINGTON – A new experiment conducted by scientists has shown that it’s possible to see through opaque materials and detect objects hidden behind them.

Materials such as paper, paint, and biological tissue are opaque because the light that passes through them … Original article on : New experiment shows how to see through opaque materials.

Testosterone can make you nice as well as nasty

WASHINGTON – A researcher has shed light on how testosterone affects human behavior in a ‘pro-social’ situation – an environment where it is beneficial for a person to help someone else.

In an evaluation for Faculty of 1000, Robert Sapolsky highlights a study on testosterone …. Source  : Testosterone can make you nice as well as nasty.

“Molecular midwives” may have helped give birth to genetic material of life

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered that small molecules could have acted as “molecular midwives” in helping the building blocks of life’s genetic material form long chains and may have assisted in selecting the base pairs of the DNA double helix.

“Our hypothesis is that before there were protein enzymes to …. Original source  : “Molecular midwives” may have helped give birth to genetic material of life.

One good act really is the catalyst for three others

LONDON – Kindness is contagious, scientists have discovered. And good acts by a handful of individuals really can make a difference.

Professor James Fowler, of the University of California, and his colleagues have found that when a person receives a gift or favour they are more likely to be generous and give an even bigger gift …. Read the original article  : One good act really is the catalyst for three others.

‘Pain gene’ discovered

LONDON – Scientists have discovered a gene which may help explain why some people are more sensitive to and less able to tolerate pain.

Dr Geoffrey Woods, of Cambridge University, said that discovery of a gene responsible for pain could greatly increase the ability to conquer and control it.
“The search for effective analgesics (pain releaving drugs) …. Read the original article  : here.

Dogs can make out meaning of different growls

LONDON – Dogs can know what other canines mean when they growl- right from a rumble that says “back off” to playful snarls made in a tug-of-war game.

In 2008, Peter Pongracz, a behavioural biologist at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary, monitored dogs’ heart rates to show that they seem to notice differences between barks … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dogs can make out meaning of different growls.

Snake venom could advance drug discovery, understanding of diseases

WASHINGTON – Snake venom contains a protein that has the potential for new drug discovery and to advance understanding of disease mechanisms, according to researchers.

Called haditoxin, the novel protein was discovered in Professor Manjunatha Kini’s laboratory at the National University of Singapore.
Co-author of the paper Dr S. Niru Nirthanan, has characterised the pharmacological actions of …. Source  : Snake venom could advance drug discovery, understanding of diseases.

Bone marrow can harbour HIV-infected cells

LONDON – Researchers at University of Michigan have identified a new reservoir for hidden HIV-infected cells that can serve as a factory for new infections.

The findings indicate a new target for curing the disease so that those infected with the virus might not have to rely on AIDS drugs for a lifetime.
“Antiviral drugs have been …. Source  : Bone marrow can harbour HIV-infected cells.

Romantic break-up shatters a person’s self-concept

WASHINGTON – A romantic break-up does make an individual’s self-concept vulnerable to change, according to a study.

Self-concept is defined as a person’s sense of “me.”
Romantic partners develop shared friends, activities and even overlapping self-concepts.
The researchers used three studies to examine self-concept changes that can occur after a break-up.
They found that individuals have reduced self-concept clarity … Original article on : Romantic break-up shatters a person’s self-concept.

Scientists extract DNA of extinct giant bird from fossil eggs

LONDON – Experts have successfully managed to extract DNA from a 19,000-year-old emu eggshell.

Charlotte Oskam and Michael Bunce, Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, were able to isolate mitochondrial DNA from the eggshells of several extinct megafauna, including the giant moa of New Zealand and a [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, mobile phones to offer X-ray vision

SYDNEY – Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed mobile phone software that can offer X-ray vision to see what’s on the other side of the building in front of you.

Christian Sandor said that the application works by using the phone’s camera, reports … Read more : Now, mobile phones to offer X-ray vision.

Soon, cotton fabrics to charge iPods, MP3 players and cell phones

WASHINGTON – Ever thought that your comfy cotton T-shirt could monitor your heart rate and breathing, analyse your sweat and even cool you off on a hot summer’s day? Or have you thought of a pillow that monitors your brain waves, or a solar-powered dress that can charge …. Read the original article  : here.

How Orangutans communicate through dense jungle

WASHINGTON – By delving deeper into the long calls of male Orangutans in Borneo, scientists have got new insight into how these solitary apes communicate through dense jungle.

The researchers conducted an acoustic analysis of the calls, and revealed that the calls not only serve to attract females, …. Source  : How Orangutans communicate through dense jungle.

Runaway Prius driver, patrol officer recount burning brakes as Toyota reputation suffers blow

Runaway Prius driver: Brakes were ‘almost burned’

EL CAJON, Calif. – Before he called 911, James Sikes says he reached down with his hand to loosen the “stuck” accelerator on his 2008 Toyota Prius, his other hand on the steering wheel. The pedal didn’t move.
“My car can’t slow down,” he began when a California Highway Patrol …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Runaway Prius driver, patrol officer recount burning brakes as Toyota reputation suffers blow.

China urges greater US commitments on climate change; technical, financial support

China tells US to do more on climate change
BEIJING – China told the United States on Wednesday to make stronger commitments on climate change and provide environmental expertise and financing to developing nations.
China’s top climate change negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, acknowledged the current U.S. administration’s greater stress on greenhouse gas reductions, but said its … Read more >>>.

Geneva’s Large Hadron Collider to shut down to address safety concerns

LONDON – Geneva’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is to shut down for a year to address safety concerns

Dr. Steve Myers, a director at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva has told BBC News that some mistakes were made in construction.
Dr. Myers said these faults will delay the machine reaching its full potential for two years.
The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Geneva’s Large Hadron Collider to shut down to address safety concerns.

Stress broadens men’s ‘mating’ tastes

LONDON – The mating business just got more complex: A new study has found that when stressed, men get drawn to a wider range of women.

Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research claimed that individuals are usually attracted to partners with similar facial features to their own, but after a brief but … Original article on : Stress broadens men’s ‘mating’ tastes.

Archaeologists identify oldest part of China’s Great Wall

BEIJING – Chinese archaeologists have identified the route of a 137-km stretch of China’s oldest Great Wall in central Henan Province, on which the remnants of 30 km of wall is still standing.

“The wall structure was built no later than 221 B.C. in the Warring States period,” China.org quoted Sun Yingmin, a spokesman of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Archaeologists identify oldest part of China’s Great Wall.

Bronze-era Buddhist sites discovered in Swat

ISLAMABAD – An Italian archaeological mission in Pakistan has discovered a large number of Buddhist sites and rock shelters in Kandak and Kota valleys of Barikot in the Swat Valley linked to the Bronze Era.

“These are some of the finest and most fascinating ancient discoveries preserved in good condition,” Gulf News quoted Dr Luca Maria …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ancient Chola period temple unearthed in North Jaffna

COLOMBO – A limestone temple 40 feet long and 10 feet wide belonging to the Chola period has been unearthed in the Delft area of Northern Jaffna.

Commenting on the finding, Professor P. Pushparatnam of the Jaffna University History Department, said the people of the locality are unable to say when this temple was built.
According to … Read : Ancient Chola period temple unearthed in North Jaffna.

Researcher reveals Kerala’s possible Mediterranean link

KOCHI – Archaeological remains like shards of Roman amphora have recently been dug up from Pattanam near Kochi, close to the ancient port town Muziris, known locally as Kdoungallur.

V. P. Devadas, principal investigator, carried out the recent study as part of a project of the University Grants Commission on ‘Megaliths of Kerala’ in the northern …. Original article  : Researcher reveals Kerala’s possible Mediterranean link.

Catastrophic event halted birth of stars, say Durham researchers

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Durham University’s Department of Physics have found evidence of a catastrophic event that they believe was responsible for halting the birth of stars in a galaxy in the early Universe.

Their results appear in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
The Royal Society …. Original source  : Catastrophic event halted birth of stars, say Durham researchers.

Reovirus may help fight prostate cancer

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Canada are working on a new way to treat prostate cancer using a virus.

In the study, researchers administered the virus to six volunteer patients and found that it killed off cancer cells while sparing normal tissue.
According to the study, the respiratory, enteric, orphan virus (commonly … Read : Reovirus may help fight prostate cancer.

How mosquitoes find a host

WASHINGTON – Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found how the potentially deadly yellow-fever-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito finds a host.

They have discovered that the mosquito detects the specific chemical structure of a compound called octenol as one way to find a mammalian host for a blood meal.
Scientists have long known that mosquitoes can detect octenol, …. Original source  : How mosquitoes find a host.

Light from lamps could one day encode a wireless broadband signal

WASHINGTON – Getting a broadband connection may soon be as simple as flipping on a light switch, say researchers from Germany.

According to the scientists, the light coming from the lamps could one day encode a wireless broadband signal.
“The advantage is that you’d be using light that is already there,” said Jelena Vucic of the Fraunhofer … Original source on Gaea Times at : Light from lamps could one day encode a wireless broadband signal.

Water discovered in Apollo moon rocks

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered tiny amounts of water in some of the famous moon rocks brought back to Earth by Apollo astronauts.

Recently NASA crashed two spacecraft into the moon and orbiters scanned the lunar surface for telltale light signatures.
And they confirmed existence of water on the moon.
The water levels detected in Apollo moon rocks … Original article on : Water discovered in Apollo moon rocks.

Animal activists from ‘The Cove’ documentary target Calif. sushi restaurant

Animal activists target Calif. sushi restaurant

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Federal agents are investigating a high-end Santa Monica, Calif., sushi restaurant, following a video sting orchestrated by the producers of the Oscar-winning documentary “The Cove.”
U.S. attorney’s spokesman Thom Mrozek said Tuesday that Santa Monica’s The Hump restaurant is under investigation for serving slices of the endangered … Original article on : Animal activists from ‘The Cove’ documentary target Calif. sushi restaurant.

Colony of Tasmanian devils shows immunity to face cancer, revives hopes of species survival

Tasmanian devil colony shows immunity to cancer

ADELAIDE, Australia – Australian scientists said Wednesday that the discovery of a genetically distinct colony of Tasmanian devils may save the species from being wiped out by a contagious cancer that has decimated the population.
So far, the colony in northwestern Tasmania state has proven immune to the face cancer … Original source on Gaea Times at : Colony of Tasmanian devils shows immunity to face cancer, revives hopes of species survival.

Wide eyes betray decision-makers

LONDON – When people make decisions, their pupils dilate, a cue that could be used to predict a person’s intentions, says a new research.

It is already known that when it gets darker, pupils dilate. Such a reflex is mediated by the release of …. Read the original article  : Wide eyes betray decision-makers.

Extreme and moderate heat may help cure tumours

WASHINGTON – According to a new research treating tumors with extreme heat or moderate heat, aided by ultrasound guidance, may provide a possible therapeutic option.

Osama M. Al-Bataineh, an assistant professor in biomedical engineering at the Hashemite University in Jordan, said: … Read more : Extreme and moderate heat may help cure tumours.

Soon, therapeutic socks for diabetics

WASHINGTON – American scientists have developed a new nitric oxide-releasing cloth that may come handy in making a wrap for donor organs and therapeutic socks for diabetics.

According to Texas scientists Kenneth Balkus and Harvey, nitric oxide (NO) helps increase blood flow and regulates a range of other …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Soon, therapeutic socks for diabetics.

Electronic drug information system reduces risk for ICU patients

WASHINGTON – A new German study has demonstrated that doctors can lower the risk for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with the help of the electronic drug information system “AiDKlinik”, which reduces the number of adverse drug interactions and adverse events.

The … Read more : Electronic drug information system reduces risk for ICU patients.

New ways for heart treatment

WASHINGTON – A new American study has suggested new ways to improve heart treatment.
The study, led by University of Iowa scientists, demonstrated in theory, that it might be possible to use drugs that maintain the positive effects on heart function of a known enzyme called calmodulin …. Read the original article  : here.

“Double burial” was practiced for 4,500 years in ancient Mexico

WASHINGTON – The first known evidence of “double burials” has revealed that ancient people in what is now Mexico, routinely dug up decomposing bodies and took off their arms, legs, and heads, then reburied the bodies, for about 4,500 years.

According to a report in National Geographic … Read more »».

40,000-yr-old site in Australia may hold world’s southernmost traces of early human life

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that Australian archaeologists have uncovered a 40,000-year-old tribal meeting ground, which they believe is the world’s southernmost site of early human life.

The site appears to have been the last place of refuge for Aboriginal tribes … Read more : 40,000-yr-old site in Australia may hold world’s southernmost traces of early human life.

Explosion by “Underwear Bomber” could not have blown up plane

WASHINGTON – An experiment conducted by a BBC documentary team has proven that even if the “Underwear Bomber” had exploded his device on Christmas day, 2009, the Airbus A330 would have survived.

On Dec. 25, 2009 Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the man dubbed as the “Underwear Bomber”, boarded Northwest Airlines …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Explosion by “Underwear Bomber” could not have blown up plane.

Scientists sniff sea salt smell nearly 900 miles away from any ocean

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have found that the process by which the smell of sea salt is created can occur in the atmosphere nearly 900 miles away from any ocean.

The smell of sea salt in the air is a romanticized feature of life along a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists sniff sea salt smell nearly 900 miles away from any ocean.

Why some chickens are half male and half female

LONDON – A new study have solved a puzzle that has baffled scientists for centuries – why some birds appear to be male on one side of the body and female on the other.

The research, which involved studying rare naturally occurring chickens with white (male) plumage on one … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Why some chickens are half male and half female.

Plant hormones found to increase cotton yields during drought conditions

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have found that a naturally occurring class of plant hormones called cytokinins has been found to help increase cotton yields during drought conditions.

Cytokinins promote cell division and growth in plants. In cotton, cytokinins stimulate the … Read more >>>.

World crude oil production may peak a decade earlier than some predict

WASHINGTON – In a new study, scientists in Kuwait have predicted that world conventional crude oil production will peak in 2014 – almost a decade earlier than some other predictions.

Ibrahim Nashawi and colleagues point out that rapid growth … Read more »»».

Scientists leap over major hurdle in mass production of grapheme

WASHINGTON – In a new study, scientists have leaped over a major hurdle in efforts to begin commercial production of graphene, a form of carbon that could rival silicon in its potential for revolutionizing electronics devices ranging from supercomputers to cell phones.

Graphene …. Original article  : Scientists leap over major hurdle in mass production of grapheme.

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity passes biggest cosmic test

WASHINGTON – Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity has passed its biggest test yet, with an analysis of more than 70,000 galaxies by scientists, supporting the hypothesis.

By calculating the clustering of these galaxies, which stretch nearly one-third of the way to the edge of the universe, and analyzing their velocities and distortion from intervening material, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Link between brain chemical, cognitive decline in schizophrenia demonstrated

WASHINGTON – UC Davis researchers have demonstrated a link between brain chemical, cognitive decline in schizophrenia.

In one of the first such studies involving human patients with schizophrenia, researchers provided evidence that deficits in a brain chemical may be responsible for some of the debilitating cognitive deficits – poor attention, memory and problem-solving abilities – that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Link between brain chemical, cognitive decline in schizophrenia demonstrated.

Brain mechanism offers insight into alcohol cravings and relapse

WASHINGTON – US researchers have provided an insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with addiction and relapse.

Published by Cell Press in the March 11 issue of the journal Neuron, the study uncovers a crucial mechanism that facilitates motivation for alcohol after … Original article on : Brain mechanism offers insight into alcohol cravings and relapse.

Confidence key to weighing impressions we make

WASHINGTON – The art of understanding how we appear in the eyes of others is something which most humans have perfected. Now, in a new study, researchers have sought to determine precisely what triggers this ability, or, conversely, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Confidence key to weighing impressions we make.

Pachauri welcomes review of IPCC

LONDON – Reports indicate that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked the world’s science academies to review work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Rajendra Pachauri, the IPCC’s chair, has welcomed the move.

The IPCC has been under pressure over …. Read the original article  : Pachauri welcomes review of IPCC.

Novel drug reduces bad cholesterol without statin side effects

LONDON – The Methodist Hospital Research Institute researchers have claimed that a new drug can significantly lower bad cholesterol, triglycerides and Lp(A), without the side effects that statins cause in many people.

The study has been published in the New England …. Source  : Novel drug reduces bad cholesterol without statin side effects.

Scientists find frog that can undergo “striking” color change

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found a new frog species in Papua New Guinea, which undergoes a “striking” change from a black, yellow-spotted youngster to a peach-colored, blue-eyed adult.

According to a report in National Geographic News, the frog, known as Oreophryne ezra, was recently … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists find frog that can undergo “striking” color change.

India needs more parks and corridors for long-term survival of its animals

WASHINGTON – In a new study, an international team of scientists has determined that the long-term survival of many large species in the midst of rapid economic growth in India will require improving existing protected areas and establishing new protected areas and corridors.

The study, carried out …. Source article  : India needs more parks and corridors for long-term survival of its animals.

Now, sticking plaster that can cure cancer

LONDON – Skin cancer patients have a new reason to smile – doctors are set to unveil the first ever sticking plaster that can cure the deadly disease.

The Ambulight plaster comprises a miniature light that combines with a chemical cream and destroys skin cancer cells.
The device …. Original article  : Now, sticking plaster that can cure cancer.

Quality of Wikipedia entries depends on authors’ collaboration

WASHINGTON – A new research by an Arizona University Professor of Indian origin has found that the quality of entries in Wikipedia depends on how authors collaborate.

Sudha Ram, a UA’s Eller College of Management professor, co-authored the article with Jun Liu, a …. Read the original article  : here.

China warns Google of ‘consequences’

BEIJING – Google will have to “bear the consequence” if it insists on violating China’s laws and regulations, a senior official warned Friday.

“It is irresponsible and unfriendly if Google insists in doing something that goes against China’s laws and regulations, and it will have to bear the consequence,” Xinhua quoted Li Yizhong, the minister of … Original article on : China warns Google of ‘consequences’.

Amazon rain forests were unaffected from once-in-a-century drought in 2005

WASHINGTON – A new NASA-funded study has concluded that the Amazon rain forests were remarkably unaffected in the face of once-in-a-century drought in 2005, neither dying nor thriving, contrary to a previously published report and claims by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“We found no big differences in the greenness level of these forests between …. Original article  : Amazon rain forests were unaffected from once-in-a-century drought in 2005.

Overprotective parents put kids at risk of psychiatric disorders

LONDON – Overprotective parents slow their kids’ brain growth in an area linked to mental illness, a new study warns.

According to the study, led by Kosuke Narita of Gunma University, Japan, kids whose parents are overprotective or neglectful are believed to be more susceptible to psychiatric disorders.
To reach the conclusion, Narita scanned the brains of … Original article on : Overprotective parents put kids at risk of psychiatric disorders.

Aquatic “dead zones” increasing global warming

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have determined that the increased amount of nitrous oxide (N2O) produced in oxygen-deprived aquatic “dead zones” can elevate concentrations in the atmosphere, further exacerbating the impacts of global warming and contributing to ozone “holes” that cause an increase in our exposure to harmful UV radiation.

“As the volume of … Read : Aquatic “dead zones” increasing global warming.

Shocking recipe for making killer electrons revealed

PARIS – ESA’s (European Space Agency’s) Cluster mission has revealed the shocking recipe for making killer electrons, by taking a bunch of fast-moving electrons, placing them in orbit and then hitting them with the shock waves from a solar storm.

Killer electrons are highly energetic particles trapped in Earth’s outer radiation belt, which extends from 12 …. Source  : Shocking recipe for making killer electrons revealed.

Brain replays control decision-making process, not long-term memories

WASHINGTON – Replaying recent events in the hippocampus of the brain has more to do with active decision-making process than with creating long-term memories, according to a new study.

Conducted by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Minnesota Medical School, the study of rats navigating a maze found that replays occurring in the … Read more »»».

Now, a computer algorithm that can record memories

WASHINGTON – A new computer algorithm can successfully record a person’s memory just by looking at their brain activity, reveals a study.

In the study, researchers at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at University College London (UCL) looked at a person’s brain activity and predicted which of three short films he or she was thinking … Read : Now, a computer algorithm that can record memories.

Why we get temporarily blinded from surprises

LONDON – While we can manage to read the newspaper in a bus with loud music, a sudden fire alarm can easily snatch away our attention from the paper to the blaring sound. Now, researchers have shown why we may be temporarily blinded by surprises.

The study from Vanderbilt University has for the first time revealed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why we get temporarily blinded from surprises.

New herpes vaccine shows promise

LONDON – Worried that your partner has genital herpes? Well, a new approach to a herpes vaccine might rid you of any such troubles.

The vaccine fights the herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV2), which coexists with the humans it infects for long periods, only rarely causing bouts of sores, reports New Scientist.
The vaccine achieves this feat …. Original article  : New herpes vaccine shows promise.

MINI-ME to uncover secrets of outer layers of Earth’s atmosphere

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that and three scientific instruments will fly soon on the FASTSAT-HSV01 satellite to uncover the secrets in the outer layers of Earth’s atmosphere.

Known as MINI-ME, PISA and TTI, these instruments recently passed a series of important final tests to prove their readiness for spaceflight.
These instruments were conceived and built at NASA’s …. Source article  : MINI-ME to uncover secrets of outer layers of Earth’s atmosphere.

NASA proposes mission to snatch a piece from ‘time capsule’ asteroid

WASHINGTON – NASA has proposed a space mission that would return samples from asteroid 1999 RQ36, which is literally a ‘time capsule’ from before the birth of our solar system that could shed light on how life began.

“This asteroid is a time capsule from before the birth of our solar system,” said Bill Cutlip of …. Read the original article  : here.

Vision originated 600 mln yrs ago in sea-dwelling hydra

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists at UC (University of California) Santa Barbara have discovered that vision originated in the hydra, a member of an ancient group of sea creatures, about 600 million years ago.

Hydra are simple animals that, along with jellyfish, belong to the phylum cnidaria, which first emerged 600 million years ago.
“We determined …. Source article  : Vision originated 600 mln yrs ago in sea-dwelling hydra.

Lunar mirror mystery solved by scientists

SYDNEY – Scientists have determined that the degradation of the performance of the Apollo reflector arrays on the Moon is because they are covered by lunar dust.

The reflectors were placed on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11, 14 and 15 missions, as well as the Soviet Lunakhod 1 and 2 robotic missions.
Since 1969 astronomers …. Read the original article  : Lunar mirror mystery solved by scientists.

New oral treatment works better than lotions to eradicate lice

LONDON – A new oral treatment is more effective in eradicating lice as compared to any prescription lotion for the scalp, French medical researchers have found.

Lice are parasites, which infest more than 100 million people worldwide each year. Children between the ages of 3 and 11 years are particularly vulnerable because of their social behaviour, …. Source  : New oral treatment works better than lotions to eradicate lice.

Temperature at 40 degrees in parts of Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government Friday issued an advisory in all 30 districts asking people to stay indoors after the temperature soared to a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the state.

“In view of the heat wave conditions, we have asked collectors in all districts to remain alert,” a senior official of the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Temperature at 40 degrees in parts of Orissa.

Mums teach kids lessons of life – even before birth

WASHINGTON – Mother birds leave chemical “messages” in their eggs in a bid to communicate with their developing chicks, a new research has showed.

Team from the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge found, by changing conditions within the egg, canary mothers leave a message for their developing chicks about the life they will face after … Read : Mums teach kids lessons of life – even before birth.

Body’s response to taste or smell of meal ‘a diabetes risk factor’

WASHINGTON – Our body’s response to foods’ smell, taste could be a risk factor for diabetes, say researchers.

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified the specific mechanism in human specimens and in mice. According to them, when we anticipate or smell a meal, the parasympathetic nervous system triggers salivation and increases insulin production in … Original article on : Body’s response to taste or smell of meal ‘a diabetes risk factor’.

Copernicus invented geology more than 500 years ago

WASHINGTON – In a new study, two geologists have determined that Copernicus, the renowned Polish astronomer, had invented the field of geology more than 500 years ago.

According to a report in Discovery News, Walter Alvarez, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, and science historian Henrique Leitao of the Universidade de Lisboa in …. Source article  : Copernicus invented geology more than 500 years ago.

Mass graves of Nazi victims found in Austria

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that at least two mass graves containing dozens of people killed by the Nazis have been found on property used by the Austrian army.

According to a report in Discovery News, an army statement suggested that some of the remains may be that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mass graves of Nazi victims found in Austria.

Finding Mallory’s camera may reveal whether he was first to climb Mount Everest

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that a veteran Everest researcher is trying to find George Mallory’s camera, which may contain photographic evidence of whether he and Andrew Irvine were the first to summit Mount Everest.

According to a report in Discovery News, the lost camera …. Read the original article  : here.

Milky Way’s fastest stars circle each other at 500 kms a second

WASHINGTON – Astronomers have confirmed that two extremely dense stars in an intimate dance are spinning around each other in just 5.4 minutes at about 500 kilometers a second, making them the fastest known stellar partners in the galaxy.

The whirling duo, known as HM Cancri, also has the tightest orbit … Read more : Milky Way’s fastest stars circle each other at 500 kms a second.

Clock ticking for Istanbul quake

LONDON – Reports indicate that the clock is ticking for an earthquake to strike the city of Istanbul in Turkey.

The magnitude-6.1 earthquake that hit eastern Turkey on March 8 has provoked fresh concerns over whether Istanbul could be the next Turkish … Read more : Clock ticking for Istanbul quake.

World’s birds shrinking due to global warming

WASHINGTON – A new study by scientists has shown that many birds in the world, particularly in North America, are shrinking, in response to warmer temperatures.

In biology, there is a general rule of thumb that animals tend to become smaller in warmer climates: an idea known as Bergman’s Rule.
Usually, …. Original source  : World’s birds shrinking due to global warming.

Deformity-causing mechanism of drug Thalidomide discovered

LONDON – The primary mechanism by which thalidomide causes malformed limbs in developing embryos has been discovered by scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology.

The drug’s side-effect gained recognition after many affected children were born to mothers who had been prescribed the drug for morning sickness.
According to …. Source article  : Deformity-causing mechanism of drug Thalidomide discovered.

Legal and institutional issues linked to asteroid threats to Earth

WASHINGTON – The Secure World Foundation (SWF) has released the findings of a group of international experts that examines the legal and institutional issues linked to potential future threats posed by Near Earth Object …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Legal and institutional issues linked to asteroid threats to Earth.

Octopus is the Jekyll and Hyde of the ocean

LONDON – A new study using high definition television (HDTV) has revealed that the Octopus may be the Jekyll and Hyde of the ocean, as it is aggressive one day, while shrinking violets the next, which suggests that [..] Read the original article: here.

Chinese medicine societies reject use of tiger bones

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that a statement by World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), which has urged its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife, has been welcomed by the WWF and TRAFFIC.

The statement was made at a symposium on March 12 in Beijing and … Read : Chinese medicine societies reject use of tiger bones.

Scientists creating ‘golden bullet’ for cancer

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing what they call a magic ‘golden’ bullet for cancer, which could kill the tumours by using gold nanoparticles.

The researchers- including Dr. Younan Xia, James M. McKelvey, Michael J. Welch- … Read more >>.

Seven cat species captured on camera in Indian rain forest

WASHINGTON – A photographer have captured on camera seven cat species in Jeypore-Dehing lowland rain forest in the northeast Indian state of Assam.

According to a report in National Geographic News, wildlife biologist Kashmira Kakati took the pictures during a two-year survey by …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Seven cat species captured on camera in Indian rain forest.

Konkan Turtle Festival draws domestic, foreign tourists

MUMBAI – The second Konkan Turtle Festival-2010 has got off to a flying start with over 375 Olive Ridley turtles released in the Arabian Sea during the past four days.

The festival, conducted jointly by the Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) and Kasav Mitra Mandal (KMM), will be on till March 28 in Velas Sea Village in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Konkan Turtle Festival draws domestic, foreign tourists.

Investigators face several pesky questions in probe of runaway Toyota Prius

Runaway Prius case presents nagging questions

SAN DIEGO – Investigators are confronted with a series of nagging questions as they try to unravel the case of a California real estate agent who said his Toyota Prius turned into a runaway death trap after the gas pedal became stuck.
Why didn’t the driver simply throw the transmission into …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

AP Interview: Kerry says climate bill will focus on jobs, energy independence

AP Interview: Kerry: Energy bill more about jobs
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kerry, hoping to win over wavering senators, said he is pushing environmental reforms to create jobs and spark energy independence, with climate benefits along “for the ride.”
In an interview with The Associated Press, the Massachusetts Democrat said legislation he’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : AP Interview: Kerry says climate bill will focus on jobs, energy independence.

Starving sea lions wash ashore in California

LOS ANGELES – Hundreds of starving sea lions are washing ashore along the California coast as El Nino weather conditions warm the Pacific Ocean and drive away their usual prey, according to media reports Friday.

The report in the Orange County Register follows accounts earlier in the year of hundreds of sick and starving pelicans along …. Source article  : Starving sea lions wash ashore in California.

Scientists need to do better job of explaining climate change science, NOAA’s director says

NOAA director urges better explanations of climate

WASHINGTON – Climate change is here and scientists need to do a better job of explaining it to the public, the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday.
“We are no longer constrained by talking about some possible future. Climate change is happening now and it’s happening … Read more >>.

Blame game as Orissa government website hits snag

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government website has gone blank since last two days due to some technical snag and officials of the state government and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which hosts the site, are blaming each other.

The Delhi excise department’s website appeared Thursday if one logged on to www.orissa.gov.in.
“We can’t say … Read more »».

LG Chem Ltd. says it will make battery cells for electric vehicles at Holland, Mich. plant

LG Chem Ltd. to make battery cells in Holland, MI

HOLLAND, Mich. – Korean battery-maker LG Chem Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary Troy-based Compact Power Inc. will make battery cells for electric vehicles at a plant in western Michigan, the companies announced Friday.
At its peak, the $303 million factory in Holland will produce enough battery cells … Original source on Gaea Times at : LG Chem Ltd. says it will make battery cells for electric vehicles at Holland, Mich. plant.

Kerala reels under oppressive heat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Kerala is reeling under intense heat for this time of the month with the temperature crossing 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the state.

Palakkad district is the worst affected with the mercury touching 42.7 degrees Celsius Friday followed by Kollam 42 degrees, Kannur 39, Kottayam 38 and the capital 37.5 degrees …. Original source  : Kerala reels under oppressive heat.

Australia on watchlist with Iran for imposing censorship on the Internet

SYDNEY – A top media rights watchdog has listed Australia along with Iran and North Korea in a report on countries that pose a threat of internet censorship.

According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, Paris-based media rights group Reporters Without Borders on Thursday put Australia and South Korea on its list of countries …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Australia on watchlist with Iran for imposing censorship on the Internet.

‘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 »»».

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.

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.

Volcano helped dinos gain upper hand in battle for global dominance 200 mln yrs ago

SYDNEY – In a new study, scientists have confirmed that a massive volcanic eruption and the loss of half of Earth’s plant life 200 million years ago tipped the scales in favour of the dinosaurs over crocodiles in the battle for global dominance.

The idea is not new, but connecting the eruption to a 200-million-year-old mass …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Volcano helped dinos gain upper hand in battle for global dominance 200 mln yrs ago.

Soon, operate your cellphone without touching it

WASHINGTON – You could soon operate your cellphone just at the point of a finger, without even having to touch the display-thanks to touchless control made of printable polymer sensors.

The sensors, just like human skin, react to the tiniest fluctuations in temperature and differences in pressure and recognize the finger as it approaches.
And the feat …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Soon, operate your cellphone without touching it.

More sensitive sensor paves way for better prosthetic limbs, cars and missiles

WASHINGTON – Get ready for more thrilling videogames, better functioning prosthetic limbs, cars that can detect collisions and dangerous turns before they occur, and missiles that can reach a target far more precisely-all thanks to sensitive sensors being developed by researchers at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Engineering.

Prof. Yael Hanein, Dr. Slava Krylov and their …. Original source  : More sensitive sensor paves way for better prosthetic limbs, cars and missiles.

425-mln-yr-old creature is only third ever to be found in ancient rocks

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has uncovered an ancient water flea-like creature from 425 million years ago, which is only the third of its kind ever to be discovered in ancient rocks.

Professor David Siveter, of the Department of Geology at the University of Leicester worked with Professor Derek Siveter at the Oxford University Museum …. Original article  : 425-mln-yr-old creature is only third ever to be found in ancient rocks.

Tree health likely to suffer due to climate change

WASHINGTON – A new literature review has shown that climate change generally will lead to reductions in tree health and will improve conditions for some highly damaging pathogens.

Currently, the forested area annually infected by insects and pathogens in the United States is approximately 45 times the area affected by fire, with an economic impact almost … Read more : Tree health likely to suffer due to climate change.

20-yr-old study reveals precise estimates of Earth’s tectonic plate movements

WASHINGTON – A 20 year-long study by scientists has yielded precise estimates of the interlocking tectonic plates that account for about 97 percent of Earth’s surface.

The study was carried out by Rice University geoscientist Richard Gordon and collaborators Chuck DeMets of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Donald Argus of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, …. Original article  : 20-yr-old study reveals precise estimates of Earth’s tectonic plate movements.

New portable device reveals booze’s true strength

WASHINGTON – A portable device that determines the strength of alcoholic drinks quickly and easily has been unveiled.

Published in the open access Chemistry Central Journal, the researchers show that their technique is just as accurate, and more sophisticated, than widely used lab-based methods.
Along with his colleagues, Dirk Lachenmeier of testing agency Chemisches und Veterinaruntersuchungsamt (CVUA) … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New portable device reveals booze’s true strength.

Jab that can cure phobias may soon be a reality

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Hiroshima in Japan have found a way to switch off a ‘fear centre’ in the brain, a finding that could make cure for phobias a reality.

Boffins claim that injecting a common local anaesthetic directly into the brain may cure fears.
Masayuki Yoshida and Ruriko Hirano studied the cerebellum, an …. Original article  : Jab that can cure phobias may soon be a reality.

Helium rain explains scarcity of neon in Jupiter’s atmosphere

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists at the UC (University of California) Berkeley, US, have suggested that helium rain is the best way to explain the scarcity of neon in the outer layers of Jupiter.

Neon dissolves in the helium raindrops and falls towards the deeper interior where it re-dissolves, depleting the upper layers of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Helium rain explains scarcity of neon in Jupiter’s atmosphere.

Australia – Kiwi 100 mln yr old break-up indicates similar fate for South America

SYDNEY – A team of geoscientists have created a mathematical model that accurately predicts how Australia and New Zealand broke apart 100 million years ago, and indicates that a similar process could be happening under South America.

According to a report in ABC Science, Australian geoscientists Associate Professor Patrice Rey and Professor Deitmar Muller from the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Australia – Kiwi 100 mln yr old break-up indicates similar fate for South America.

Cancer radiotherapy ups cardiovascular disease risk later in life

WASHINGTON – Karolinska Institutet scientists have suggested that the sustained inflammation in the arteries brought on by changes in gene expression as a result of cancer radiotherapy could be the reason why so many people who survive their cancer diagnosis go on to develop cardiovascular disease later in life.

Epidemiological studies have shown that a course … Original article on : Cancer radiotherapy ups cardiovascular disease risk later in life.

Genes that keep watch on blood clotting time found

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered three genes that could shed light on the genetic causes of blood-clotting disorders such as thrombosis and some types of stroke.

The boffins discovered that the three genes make a substantial contribution to how long it takes blood to clot.
The team thinks that identifying these genes … Original source on Gaea Times at : Genes that keep watch on blood clotting time found.

Archaeologists to unravel origins of iron and steel in India

WASHINGTON – In a new research, archaeologists have studied the origins of high carbon steel-making and iron in the southern Indian sub-continent.

The six-week archaeological research expedition, to a remote region of rural Andhra Pradesh in India, consisted of a team of Exeter University staff and students.
Setting out at 7.00 every morning from their base camp …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Archaeologists to unravel origins of iron and steel in India.

Tiny pieces of silent RNA behind healing chronic wounds

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found the reason behind why chronic wounds have trouble healing- tiny piece of RNA, called as miR-210.

In a new animal study, the Ohio State University researchers discovered that this RNA segment in wounds with limited blood flow lowers the production of a protein that is needed to encourage skin cells to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Tiny pieces of silent RNA behind healing chronic wounds.

Growing portion sizes in ‘Last Supper’ paintings indicate growing appetites

WASHINGTON – After observing almost four dozen depictions of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’, scientists have claimed that the sizes of the portions and plates in all the adaptations of the famous work have gradually grown bigger in the past 1,000 years, indicating growing appetites among people.

The finding from researchers at Cornell University suggests … Read more »».

Sunlight may play a bigger role than vitamin D in controlling multiple sclerosis

WASHINGTON – Ultraviolet portion of sunlight plays a bigger role than vitamin D in controlling multiple sclerosis (MS), according to researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

For more than 30 years, scientists have known that multiple sclerosis (MS) is much more common in higher latitudes than in the tropics.
Because sunlight is more abundant near the equator, many … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sunlight may play a bigger role than vitamin D in controlling multiple sclerosis.

Consumption of meat, dairy products not linked to global warming

WASHINGTON – Cutting down on consumption of meat and dairy products will not reduce global warming, says a new research.

Until now, experts had linked diets rich in animal products to production of greenhouse gases.
Air quality expert Frank Mitloehner insists that the notion is fruitless to curbing global warming.
He said campaigns such as “meatless Mondays” and …. Source article  : Consumption of meat, dairy products not linked to global warming.

Cognitive decline 4 times faster in Alzheimer’s patients

WASHINGTON – Cognitive abilities decline four times faster in Alzheimer’s patients than those without any cognitive impairment, say researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

The research is the second population-based study to quantify the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
“Knowledge about the progressive cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease is mainly based on studies …. Source  : Cognitive decline 4 times faster in Alzheimer’s patients.

Jesus Christ Supersizer: Food in Last Supper paintings has grown by biblical proportions

Study: Last Supper paintings supersize the food

Has even the Last Supper been supersized?
The food in famous paintings of the meal has grown by biblical proportions over the last millennium, researchers report in a medical journal Tuesday.
Using a computer, they compared the size of the food to the size of the heads in 52 paintings of … Read more »»».

Northern NJ hotel owner admits discharging polluted wastewater into river, must pay $75,000

Hotel owner pleads guilty to polluting NJ river

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The owner of a northern New Jersey hotel has admitted discharging wastewater contaminated with sewage into a river.
RD Secaucus LP is the corporate owner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Secaucus, just west of New York City. It pleaded guilty Monday to unlawfully discharging … Original article on : Northern NJ hotel owner admits discharging polluted wastewater into river, must pay $75,000.

Soybeans can provide safer sunscreens

WASHINGTON – Say goodbye to that petroleum based sunscreen lotion and get ready to grab a bottle of a more natural sun-protecting product, which is made of soybean oil.

Scientists have developed a new method for converting soybean oil into a highly effective bio-based sunscreen active ingredient, called feruloyl soy glycerides (FSG), which does not carry …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Orissa hosting world meet to save Irrawaddy dolphins

BHUBANESWAR – Around 100 participants from Asian countries like Japan, Bangladesh and Indonesia are expected at what is being called the first international workshop on Irrawaddy dolphins to be held in India from Thursday.

The two-day conference will be held in the Orissa capital. Dozens of research papers expected to be presented there are likely to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Orissa hosting world meet to save Irrawaddy dolphins.

Weather forecast system to be improved in Himachal

SHIMLA – High-tech gadgets will be installed across Himachal Pradesh to provide precise and detailed weather forecast, especially to farmers, an official said here Wednesday.

“We have plans to install two Doppler weather radars and a series of automatic weather stations and rain gauges in the state,” Manmohan Singh, director of Shimla meteorological office, told IANS. …. Original article  : Weather forecast system to be improved in Himachal.

Bihar set to witness hot summer

PATNA – Bihar is set to witness a scorching summer this year with several parts already recording temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, an official said Wednesday.

“In the last two days, day temperatures soared above 40 degrees in Gaya, Patna, Aurangabad and Jehanabad districts,” an official of the Patna meteorological centre said.
Gaya recorded the hottest … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bihar set to witness hot summer.

New way to fight fat with cold temperatures shows promise

NEW YORK – An experimental procedure has raised hopes of being a new way to decrease fatty deposits under the skin by applying cold temperatures.

The procedure, cryolipolysis, is yet to receive a green signal from the Food and Drug Administration but has been predicted as a potential “dermatologic weapon”.
Dr. Mathew Avram, director of the Massachusetts … Read more : New way to fight fat with cold temperatures shows promise.

Scientists discover first amphibious insects in Hawaii

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered the first truly amphibious insects in Hawaii’s fast-moving freshwater streams, which are equally at home on land or underwater.

According to a report in National Geographic News, the amphibious caterpillars belong to the moth genus Hyposmocoma, a group that includes more than 400 species.
The 14 newfound species are never seen far … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover first amphibious insects in Hawaii.

Omega-3-rich food can protect women against infertility

WASHINGTON – Women who take diets rich in Omega-3 oils may be less likely to develop endometriosis while those whose diets are heavily laden with trans fats may be more likely to develop the debilitating condition that causes infertility, according to new study.

The study is the largest to have investigated the link between diet and … Read more »».

Binge drinking the night before test doesn’t affect students’ performance

WASHINGTON – Binge-drinking on the eve of an examination does not affect a student’s performance in the test, a new American research has revealed.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Brown University, has been published in the April 2010 edition of the journal Addiction,
It was seen that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Binge drinking the night before test doesn’t affect students’ performance.

Hills of Himachal feel the heat

SHIMLA – Temperature continued to soar above average in Himachal Pradesh Wednesday in the absence of rain or snowfall, a day after Shimla witnessed the warmest March in six years at 25.8 degrees Celsius.

The met department said the temperatures would remain on the higher side for a few days.
“The minimum temperature Wednesday morning was … Original article on : Hills of Himachal feel the heat.

Commercial cooking large source of hazardous pollutants in environment

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Minnesota, US, are reporting that commercial cooking is a surprisingly large source of a range of air pollutants that could pose risks to human health and the environment.

According to Deborah Gross from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, commercial food cooking is a known source of air pollutants, including gases and tiny …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Commercial cooking large source of hazardous pollutants in environment.

185 mln yr old plant-eating dino discovered in Utah’s red rocks

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have discovered a rare skeleton of a new species of plant-eating dinosaur in Utah’s red rocks that lived 185 million years ago and may have been buried alive by a collapsing sand dune.

The discovery confirms the widespread success of sauropodomorph dinosaurs during the Early Jurassic Period.
The study was …. Source article  : 185 mln yr old plant-eating dino discovered in Utah’s red rocks.

Eyes can tell what we have in our minds

WASHINGTON – Eyes are not just windows to the soul – they can also tell what we are thinking, a new research has shown.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have been able to predict the numbers people are thinking of by analysing their eye movements.
In the study, participants were asked to state a series of …. Source  : Eyes can tell what we have in our minds.

Householders with energy-efficient homes more likely to be complacent

LONDON – People who have made their houses more energy efficient are more likely to give in to small excesses, a new British research has pointed out.

David Lomas, Loughborough University, UK, hinted such excesses could work up a big tab and cost as much as half of the anticipated savings from making homes more energy … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Householders with energy-efficient homes more likely to be complacent.

Monkey that has eluded capture in Tampa Bay area for months spotted again in a backyard pool

Elusive monkey romps in Tampa Bay area
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – In the hours after a monkey on the lam fell into a woman’s pool and then swiped some fruit from her backyard tree, fans of the wily primate cheered it for avoiding capture.

“Go little monkey, go! No cages for you,” wrote a guy named Jack … Read more >>>.

Plight of bees worsens this winter and scientists spot stew of pesticides in pollen, hives

Bees in more trouble than ever after bad winter

MERCED, Calif. – The mysterious 4-year-old crisis of disappearing honeybees is deepening. A quick federal survey indicates a heavy bee die-off this winter, while a new study shows honeybees’ pollen and hives laden with pesticides.
Two federal agencies along with regulators in California and Canada are scrambling to … Read : Plight of bees worsens this winter and scientists spot stew of pesticides in pollen, hives.

Laser security for the Internet developed

WASHINGTON – Experts have come up with a new security system for Internet using a special laser that may help keep hackers’ prying eyes off for good.

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a digital security tool with existing fiber optic and computer technology that transmitts binary lock-and-key information in the form of light pulses.
The … Read : Laser security for the Internet developed.

Elusive monkey romps through Tampa Bay area for nearly a year, outwitting humans on his tail

Elusive monkey romps through Tampa Bay area

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – He’s wily, he’s smart and he’s on the move.
A male rhesus macaque monkey has avoided capture in the Tampa Bay area for nearly a year. He was spotted earlier this week in a woman’s St. Petersburg pool.
Authorities don’t know where the animal came from, but …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Elusive monkey romps through Tampa Bay area for nearly a year, outwitting humans on his tail.

Infants’ helping behaviour influenced by previous interactions

WASHINGTON – Its not just grown-ups, but infants too tend to extend their assistance to people who have helped them in the past, showed researchers at Queen’s University in Canada.

Reciprocal relationships are an important part of adult interactions and foster cooperation in society, and the new findings suggest that such behaviour may have early beginnings …. Original article  : Infants’ helping behaviour influenced by previous interactions.

Social bees have bigger brain region for learning, memory

WASHINGTON – Social bee queens- like those in the tropical sweat bee species, Megalopta genalis in Panama-have bigger brain region responsible for learning and memory than in solitary queens, according to scientists.

The study by researchers Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is the first comparison of the brain sizes of social and non-social individuals of the same … Read more >>>.

Realistic tsunami generator would help protect against future catastrophe

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed and successfully tested a unique wave-generating machine that mimics the activity of real-life tsunamis with unprecedented realism, which would help protect against future catastrophe.

The simulator, tested in an Oxfordshire laboratory, has copied the first massive wave of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Developed and built with Engineering and Physical Sciences Research … Read more : Realistic tsunami generator would help protect against future catastrophe.

Global warming sinks disputed island in Bay of Bengal

LONDON – Reports indicate that global warming has claimed its latest victim, namely, a low-lying island in a sprawling mangrove delta in the Bay of Bengal, which has been disputed by India and Bangladesh for almost 30 years.

According to a report in The Independent, the New Moore Island has disappeared beneath the waves, which is … Read : Global warming sinks disputed island in Bay of Bengal.

Migratory birds’ berry eating habits can teach us about healthy eating

WASHINGTON – Migratory birds favor the arrow-wood berry, high in anti-oxidants, during long flights, say researchers who claim that the birds’ diets might be used to understand the role of berries in human health.

Two University of Rhode Island scientists believe that birds choose certain berries because they offer protection against oxidative stress that occurs during …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Could erectile dysfunction drugs help muscular dystrophy patients?

WASHINGTON – Taking a step further from a recent rodent study, a Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute cardiologist is probing if drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction could also be used to improve muscle blood flow and reduce fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients.

A recent study showed beneficial effects of tadalafil (also known as Cialis) in mice with …. Original article  : Could erectile dysfunction drugs help muscular dystrophy patients?.

Anaesthesia ups risk of developing Alzheimer’s-like symptoms

WASHINGTON – Repetitive anaesthesia with isoflurane (one of the most common anaesthetics by inhalation) increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) like symptoms in patients with genetic risk factors for the disease, according to a rodent study.

Spanish researchers coordinated by Doctors Maria Angeles Mena and Justo Garcia de Yebenes, from CIBERNED (Centro de Investigacion [..] Read the original article: here.

How weight-loss surgery reverses type 2 diabetes

WASHINGTON – For the first time, researchers at UC Davis have shown that surgical procedure in rats, similar to bariatric (weight-loss) surgery in humans, can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The researchers also have identified biochemical changes caused by the surgeries that may be responsible for that delay.
Findings from the study should help researchers …. Read the original article  : here.

Gorillas may become extinct in ten years in central Africa

WASHINGTON – A new UN report has said that gorillas may become extinct across much of central Africa in ten years or so.

According to National Geographic News, the report says that among the threats to the gorillas are surges in human populations, the ape-meat trade, and logging and mining as well as the spread of … Read more »».

How the brain constructs morality

WASHINGTON – Our ability to respond appropriately to intended harms – that is, with outrage toward the perpetrator – is seated in a brain region associated with regulating emotions, says a new study.

According to MIT neuroscientists, patients with damage to this brain area, known as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPC), are unable to conjure a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : How the brain constructs morality.

‘Big Bang Machine’ may unlock secrets of the Universe

WASHINGTON – Scientists are of the opinion that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s largest and highest-energy particle accelerator, may unlock many secrets of the Universe.

Located at the CERN laboratory outside Geneva, the immense collider, which measures more than 16 miles in circumference, is expected to usher in a new era of particle physics …. Read the original article  : ‘Big Bang Machine’ may unlock secrets of the Universe.

Hair-conditioning shampoos may help develop ‘CO2??? scrubber

WASHINGTON – Soon, relatives of ingredients in hair-conditioning shampoos and fabric softeners may be used to develop a carbon dioxide (CO2) “scrubber” that can be helpful in fighting global warming.

These ingredients show promise as a long-sought material to fight global warming by “scrubbing” CO2 out of the flue gases from coal-burning electric power generating stations, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hair-conditioning shampoos may help develop ‘CO2′ scrubber.

Stop eating fish to help planet says PETA

BHUBANESWAR – Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Thursday urged people to stop eating fish and go vegan to help animals and the planet.

Unveiling the results of a year-long exhaustive investigative report on the fishing industry, senior campaign coordinator Nikunj Sharma said here that by eating fish people were putting …. Read the original article  : Stop eating fish to help planet says PETA.

What makes the first impression last?

LONDON – Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the California Institute of Technology have found how the memory of a first impression lasts in the brain.

They have suggested that when memory-related neurons in the brain fire in sync with certain brain waves, the resulting image recognition and memories are stronger than if this synchronization does … Read more : What makes the first impression last?.

“X-Woman” coexisted with Neanderthals and modern humans 40,000 years ago

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that an unknown type of human, nicknamed “X-Woman,” coexisted with Neanderthals and our own species between 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

According to a report in Discovery News, the as-of-yet-unnamed new human species represents the first time that a hominid has been described not from the structure of its …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : “X-Woman” coexisted with Neanderthals and modern humans 40,000 years ago.

Scientists create “handshaking” particles

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that physicists at New York University (NYU) have created “handshaking” particles that link together based on their shape rather than randomly.

Their work marks the first time scientists have succeeded in “programming” particles to join in this manner and offers a type of architecture that could enhance the creation of synthetic materials.
“We …. Source  : Scientists create “handshaking” particles.

Flexible silicon device could help put offbeat hearts back on rhythm

WASHINGTON – A new type of implantable device for measuring the heart’s electrical output has been created by a team of cardiologists, materials scientists, and bioengineers.

The new device represents the first use of flexible silicon technology for a medical application, say its developers.
“We believe that this technology may herald a new generation of active, flexible, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Flexible silicon device could help put offbeat hearts back on rhythm.

Earth’s health reaching critical tipping point, says scientist

WASHINGTON – In a new study, an expert at the University of Minnesota (U of M), US, has said that earth’s health is reaching critical tipping point and climate change is just one of the problems that the planet faces.

The study, by U of M professor Jon Foley, has been featured as part of the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Earth’s health reaching critical tipping point, says scientist.

Pursuit of status and affection behind bullies’ behavior

WASHINGTON – Most bullies are motivated by the pursuit of status and affection, says a new study.

The longitudinal study was conducted by researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. It appears in the March/April 2010 issue of the journal Child Development.
In their work, the researchers questioned almost 500 elementary-school children ages 9 to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Words influence infants’ cognition from first months of life

WASHINGTON – Even before infants begin to speak, words play an important role in their cognition, suggests a new study.

Northwestern University researchers have found that for 3-month-old infants, words influence performance in a cognitive task in a way that goes beyond the influence of other kinds of sounds, including musical tones.
The research by Alissa Ferry, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Words influence infants’ cognition from first months of life.

Meat and milk production less harmful to planet than previously believed, admits UN

LONDON – Reports indicate that the UN has admitted a flaw in its report on the impact of eating meat on climate change, which linked livestock to global warming.

The 2006 study, Livestock’s Long Shadow, claimed meat production was responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions – more than transport.
Its conclusions were heralded by …. Read the original article  : here.

How our body does our thinking

LONDON – Our bodies and their relationship with the environment govern even our most abstract thoughts, which include thinking up random numbers or deciding whether to recount positive or negative incidents, a new research suggests.

“Advocates of traditional accounts of cognition would be surprised,” says Tobias Loetscher at the University of Melbourne in Parkville, Australia. “They …. Original source  : How our body does our thinking.

Japan big winner at UN wildlife meeting, using political muscle to defeat shark, tuna bans

Japan big winner at UN conservation meeting

DOHA, Qatar – The Japanese seemed to be everywhere at the U.N. wildlife trade meeting.
Dozens of government officials worked the floor the past two weeks ahead of key votes and officials offered guidance to confused but supportive delegates. They held a reception for select representatives at their embassy in … Original article on : Japan big winner at UN wildlife meeting, using political muscle to defeat shark, tuna bans.

NASA to launch its next shuttle April 5

WASHINGTON – NASA managers gave the green signal to launch the shuttle Discovery April 5 amidst reports that it could extend the shuttle programme till 2011.

NASA managers completed their all-day flight readiness review Friday and said there were “no unresolved” issues that could prevent or delay the mission, set to take off on Easter Monday. …. Read the original article  : NASA to launch its next shuttle April 5.

Copernic to buy waste management equipment business from Fanotech Manufacturing Group

Copernic to buy waste management equipment company

NEW YORK – Copernic Inc., operator of the Mamma.com search engine, said Friday that it will pay roughly 3.5 million Canadian dollars ($3.4 million) in cash and stock to get into the waste management equipment business.
The company said it has signed a letter of intent with Canada’s Fanotech Manufacturing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Copernic to buy waste management equipment business from Fanotech Manufacturing Group.

NASA sets April 5 launch for shuttle Discovery, 4 missions remaining to finish space station

NASA sets April 5 launch for shuttle Discovery

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has settled on April 5 as a launch date for space shuttle Discovery.
Senior managers met Friday and agreed unanimously on the launch date. They determined that leaky helium valves aboard Discovery would pose no safety concerns.
Discovery will haul up spare parts and extra …. Source  : NASA sets April 5 launch for shuttle Discovery, 4 missions remaining to finish space station.

Winter surprise: While much of America shivered, most of world warmed

Another warmer than normal winter reported

WASHINGTON – It will probably come as a surprise to most Americans, but the winter just finished was the fifth warmest on record, worldwide.
Oh, sure, nearly two-thirds of the country can dispute that from personal experience of a colder-than-normal season.
But while much of the United States was colder than usual, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

UN agency OKs rule to cut air pollution from oceangoing ships off US, Canadian coasts

New rule cuts ship pollution around US, Canada

LOS ANGELES – A United Nations agency that regulates the international shipping industry adopted a plan Friday to dramatically reduce air pollution from ships that sail within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. and Canadian coasts.
The decision by the London-based International Maritime Organization establishes an emissions control area … Read more »»».

California league bans metal bats after 16-year-old pitcher suffers brain injury

Calif. league bans metal bats after pitcher hurt

LARKSPUR, Calif. – The Marin County Athletic League is banning the use of metal baseball bats at high school games for the rest of the season after a 16-year-old pitcher was hit by a line drive and suffered a brain injury.
The league’s board voted unanimously Thursday to impose …. Original article  : California league bans metal bats after 16-year-old pitcher suffers brain injury.

Maharashtra ministers to turn off power for Earth Hour

MUMBAI – Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, his cabinet colleagues and other officials will lead the state’s participation in the Earth Hour by switching off all non-essential lights Saturday at 8.30 p.m.

“I will be switching off all non-essential lights in my office and residence, and have requested all my colleagues and staff to take part …. Source article  : Maharashtra ministers to turn off power for Earth Hour.

For some cancer patients, removing a breast doesn’t always mean living longer

Losing breast not always best for cancer patients

BARCELONA, Spain – New research suggests that women with gene mutations that predispose them to breast cancer might not pay a huge price in survival if they choose to preserve their breast instead of having it removed.
In a small study that observed women with BRCA gene mutations and …. Read the original article  : For some cancer patients, removing a breast doesn’t always mean living longer.

National Geographic’s new network is all wild, making debut in United States

New network promises to be all wild all the time

LOS ANGELES – Flip on the National Geographic Channel and you’ll find animals in the wild sharing time with shows on science, exploration, history and world culture.
When you flip on Nat Geo WILD, soon to be available in the United States for the first time, it’ll … Original article on : National Geographic’s new network is all wild, making debut in United States.

India-China hold talks on climate change cooperation

NEW DELHI – To take forward their bilateral cooperation in tackling climate change issues, India and China Friday held talks to chart out their future course of action on the subject.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu discussed steps needed to be taken by both the countries in the field.
As …. Source  : India-China hold talks on climate change cooperation.

China creates world’s first genetically modified cow

HOHHOT – Chinese scientists have created the world’s first genetically modified cow that can give milk rich in Omega-3 fatty acid, Xinhua reported.

“Two embryo-cloned and genetically-modified dairy cows were born June 23 last year. One of the cows has been found to have Omega-3 fatty acid level 10 times higher than a normal cow,” said …. Source  : China creates world’s first genetically modified cow.

UK High Court orders review of Heathrow third runway, delaying government’s expansion plans

UK High Court orders review of Heathrow expansion

LONDON – Britain’s High Court has thrown into doubt the government’s plans to expand London’s Heathrow airport with a third runway, ordering it Friday to take into account the latest data on climate change.
The long-awaited court ruling means that Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government must hold new consultations …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

No ministerial panel for green clearance: Jairam Ramesh

NEW DELHI – Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh denied Friday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had set up a ministerial panel to give environment clearances and said his ministry would continue to give approvals to infrastructure projects.

No Group of Ministers (GoM) has been formed to decide on environmental clearances as claimed by a section of the … Read more >>>.

US official say new treaty would cut nuclear weapons by 25 percent

US official: Treaty cuts nuclear weapons by fourth

WASHINGTON – A U.S. official says a treaty expected to be sealed with Russia within hours would cut by 25 percent the number of deployed nuclear weapons.
The official says the agreement would limit each side to 700 armed launchers – such as missiles, bombers or submarines – that … Original source on Gaea Times at : US official say new treaty would cut nuclear weapons by 25 percent.

Temperature dips in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – After reeling under a heat wave for more than a fortnight, Orissa residents had a welcome respite Friday as temperatures dropped appreciably, an official said.

“The mercury dropped by four to seven degrees in places other than in the western part of the state,” an official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told IANS.
The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Temperature dips in Orissa.

Mars rover Opportunity keeps rolling, passes 12-mile mark on way to Endeavour crater

Mars rover Opportunity passes 12-mile mark

PASADENA, Calif. – The NASA rover Opportunity has passed the 12-mile mark on its marathon Mars mission.
Opportunity hit the driving milestone this week as it headed toward its next destination, Endeavour crater. The aging but plucky rover still has another 7.2 miles to go to reach the site.
Since landing in …. Read the original article  : Mars rover Opportunity keeps rolling, passes 12-mile mark on way to Endeavour crater.

Typing tracker could spot paedophiles

London, March 26 (ANI): Paedophiles trying to lure children through the web may be tracked down in future by the way they type on a keyboard.

Professor Roy Maxion from the Newcastle University has developed a technique to identify typists’ age, sex and culture in just … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Typing tracker could spot paedophiles.

Study sheds light on factors that contribute to teens’ decision-making autonomy

Washington, March 26 (ANI): A new study by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University has revealed that some adolescents have more say in certain areas than others while some have greater autonomy than other teens.

The findings have appeared in the March/April 2010 issue … Original source on Gaea Times at : Study sheds light on factors that contribute to teens’ decision-making autonomy.

Writers focus on climate change at SAARC literature fest

NEW DELHI – Writers from South Asian countries have joined hands to discuss climate change issues and ways in which they can contribute in creating more awareness at the 33rd SAARC Festival of Literature that began here Friday.

Hundreds of writers, students and academicians from diverse backgrounds are participating in the three-day festival at the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Writers focus on climate change at SAARC literature fest.

Some women have ‘bad mum’ switch

Melbourne, Mar 26 (ANI): Some women are born with a bad mother switch, says a new study.
Researchers at Richmond University in Virginia said that women develop a set of “maternal neurons” that operate like “bad mother/good mother” switches in the brain.

Using brain-scanning …. Read the original article  : Some women have ‘bad mum’ switch.

India tests two nuke capable missiles (Second Lead)

BHUBANESWAR – India Saturday successfully tested two indigenously developed nuclear capable missiles, Dhanush and Prithvi II, an official said.

“Both the missiles were successfully launched at the same time at about 5.30 a.m.,” S.P. Dash, director of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa’s Balasore district, told IANS.
The Prithvi II surface-to-surface ballistic missile, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India tests two nuke capable missiles (Second Lead).

Toyota’s faulty gas pedals may be a result of cosmic rays from space

WASHINGTON – A new research has come up with a surprising finding that Toyota’s faulty gas pedals could be a result of cosmic rays from space.

Toyota’s sticky gas pedals caused sudden and unintended acceleration in several of the automaker’s … Read more : Toyota’s faulty gas pedals may be a result of cosmic rays from space.

Microscopic “hairy blobs” thrive in Mars-like Australian lakes

LONDON – A new DNA analysis has suggested that life, in the form of microscopic “hairy blobs”, not only survives but thrives in Australian lakes where conditions may be as harsh as those on ancient Mars.

Minerals on Mars studied by the NASA rovers suggest water once flowed on …. Read the original article  : Microscopic “hairy blobs” thrive in Mars-like Australian lakes.

World’s first genetically-modified cow to produce milk rich in Omega-3 fatty acid

NEW DELHI – Chinese scientists have reported that the world’s first genetically-modified cow with high level of Omega-3 fatty acid has turned nine-months old, is healthy and expected to produce milk rich in the fatty acid essential for human health.

According to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Physicists detect geo-neutrinos from deep within Earth’s core

WASHINGTON – In a new study, two University of Massachusetts Amherst physicists are measuring some of the faintest and rarest particles ever detected, geo-neutrinos, from deep within Earth, with the greatest precision yet achieved.

The data, being collected using a delicate instrument … Read more »»».

Apologetic IPCC chief Pachauri switches to neutral climate advisory role

LONDON – Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the UN-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is to adopt a neutral advisory role and has agreed to stop making statements demanding new taxes and other radical policies on cutting emissions, The Times reports.

In an … Read more : Apologetic IPCC chief Pachauri switches to neutral climate advisory role.

New minimally invasive technique corrects ‘pigeon chest’

WASHINGTON – A new minimally invasive surgery can correct a chest wall deformity- often known as pigeon chest, claimed surgeons at a recent conference.

Technically known as pectus carinatum, the condition causes the chest wall to protrude outward, giving the patient’s chest the appearance of … Read more »»».

Delhi set for another scorching day

NEW DELHI – The national capital was set for another hot day Saturday with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius mark – seven degrees above average, the weatherman said.

“The minimum temperature was recorded at 23.1 degrees Celsius Saturday, five degrees above average,” an official of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Delhi set for another scorching day.

Now, play ‘Pong’ with the blink of an eye

WASHINGTON – A computer game that is operated by eye movements has been developed by students at Imperial College London.

The revolutionary game could allow people with severe physical disabilities to become ‘gamers’ for the first time, scientists announced.
The students have adapted an open source game called ‘Pong’, where a player moves a bat to hit … Read more »».

Delhiites to switch off lights during Earth Hour

NEW DELHI – Delhiites are all set to turn off lights for an hour as the clock strikes 8.30 p.m. Saturday to observe Earth Hour, a global climate awareness initiative.

The Earth Hour is a global initiative by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) that aims to send out the message that people are concerned about … Read more >>>.

India successfully tests two nuke capable missiles

BHUBANESWAR – India early Saturday successfully tested two nuclear capable missiles Dhanush and Prithvi II in Orissa, an official said.

“Both the missiles were successfully lunched same time at 5.30 hours,” S.P. Dash, director of Integrated Test Range of Chandipur in Balasore district, told IANS.
While Prithvi II surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of …. Original source  : India successfully tests two nuke capable missiles.

NASA to launch its next shuttle April 5

WASHINGTON – NASA managers gave the green signal to launch the shuttle Discovery April 5 amidst reports that it could extend the shuttle programme till 2011.

NASA managers completed their all-day flight readiness review Friday and said there were “no unresolved” issues that could prevent or delay the mission, set to take off on Easter Monday. … Read more : NASA to launch its next shuttle April 5.

Copernic to buy waste management equipment business from Fanotech Manufacturing Group

Copernic to buy waste management equipment company

NEW YORK – Copernic Inc., operator of the Mamma.com search engine, said Friday that it will pay roughly 3.5 million Canadian dollars ($3.4 million) in cash and stock to get into the waste management equipment business.
The company said it has signed a letter of intent with Canada’s Fanotech Manufacturing …. Original article  : Copernic to buy waste management equipment business from Fanotech Manufacturing Group.

NASA sets April 5 launch for shuttle Discovery, 4 missions remaining to finish space station

NASA sets April 5 launch for shuttle Discovery

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has settled on April 5 as a launch date for space shuttle Discovery.
Senior managers met Friday and agreed unanimously on the launch date. They determined that leaky helium valves aboard Discovery would pose no safety concerns.
Discovery will haul up spare parts and extra …. Source  : NASA sets April 5 launch for shuttle Discovery, 4 missions remaining to finish space station.

Winter surprise: While much of America shivered, most of world warmed

Another warmer than normal winter reported

WASHINGTON – It will probably come as a surprise to most Americans, but the winter just finished was the fifth warmest on record, worldwide.
Oh, sure, nearly two-thirds of the country can dispute that from personal experience of a colder-than-normal season.
But while much of the United States was colder than usual, … Read more >>.

UN agency OKs rule to cut air pollution from oceangoing ships off US, Canadian coasts

New rule cuts ship pollution around US, Canada

LOS ANGELES – A United Nations agency that regulates the international shipping industry adopted a plan Friday to dramatically reduce air pollution from ships that sail within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. and Canadian coasts.
The decision by the London-based International Maritime Organization establishes an emissions control area …. Read the original article  : here.

California league bans metal bats after 16-year-old pitcher suffers brain injury

Calif. league bans metal bats after pitcher hurt

LARKSPUR, Calif. – The Marin County Athletic League is banning the use of metal baseball bats at high school games for the rest of the season after a 16-year-old pitcher was hit by a line drive and suffered a brain injury.
The league’s board voted unanimously Thursday to impose …. Original article  : California league bans metal bats after 16-year-old pitcher suffers brain injury.

Maharashtra ministers to turn off power for Earth Hour

MUMBAI – Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, his cabinet colleagues and other officials will lead the state’s participation in the Earth Hour by switching off all non-essential lights Saturday at 8.30 p.m.

“I will be switching off all non-essential lights in my office and residence, and have requested all my colleagues and staff to take part … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Maharashtra ministers to turn off power for Earth Hour.

For some cancer patients, removing a breast doesn’t always mean living longer

Losing breast not always best for cancer patients

BARCELONA, Spain – New research suggests that women with gene mutations that predispose them to breast cancer might not pay a huge price in survival if they choose to preserve their breast instead of having it removed.
In a small study that observed women with BRCA gene mutations and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : For some cancer patients, removing a breast doesn’t always mean living longer.

National Geographic’s new network is all wild, making debut in United States

New network promises to be all wild all the time

LOS ANGELES – Flip on the National Geographic Channel and you’ll find animals in the wild sharing time with shows on science, exploration, history and world culture.
When you flip on Nat Geo WILD, soon to be available in the United States for the first time, it’ll … Original source on Gaea Times at : National Geographic’s new network is all wild, making debut in United States.

Tiny cube to clear dangerous debris from space

LONDON – Scientists in the UK have developed a device to clear dangerous clouds of debris from the Earth’s orbit.

The team plans to launch a demonstration of their CubeSail at the end of 2011.
It is a small satellite that deploys a thin … Read more : Tiny cube to clear dangerous debris from space.

Scientists use tiny worms to unlock keys to herbal meds

WASHINGTON – University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) researchers have developed a biologic method to tease out which compounds from herbal medicines and medicinal herbal mixtures produce their reputed medicinal benefits.

The boffins reported the development in the science journal PLos ONE.
“This provides … Read more >>>.

Sapphire may help make coal a cleaner fuel source

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology believe sapphire, a brilliant blue gemstone, may soon play an important part in making coal a cleaner fuel source.

The boffins are investigating sapphire’s suitability for sensors that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sapphire may help make coal a cleaner fuel source.

Terrorists using Internet to recruit women

WASHINGTON – In a new study, a researcher has found that many terrorist organizations, including Hamas, are using their children’s websites in order to recruit girls for terrorist activities.

The researcher in question is Professor Gabriel Weimann, a University … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Terrorists using Internet to recruit women.

11 questions that would shape next decade of geographical sciences research

WASHINGTON – A new report by the National Research Council, US, has outlined eleven questions that should shape the next decade of geographical sciences research.he questions aim to provide a more complete understanding of where and how landscapes are changing to help society manage … Read more »».

Quality of tomato depends more on temperature than on natural light

WASHINGTON – A research team from the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development has questioned the generally held belief that the quality of tomatoes depends primarily on their exposure to natural light and states that the most determining factor …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Quality of tomato depends more on temperature than on natural light.

Plants have evolved mechanisms that help them control the food chain

WASHINGTON – A new evolutionary biology research by scientists at the New Cornell University, US, has shown that plants at the bottom of the food chain have evolved mechanisms that influence ecosystem dynamics.

“The ecology and interactions of most organisms is dictated by their evolutionary …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Plants have evolved mechanisms that help them control the food chain.

Boffins scratching heads over mega boobs mystery

LONDON – Scientists in the UK are trying to figure out why women’s breasts are getting bigger.

While some boffins blame expanding waistlines for the increase in bust sizeS, others say pollution from pesticides is causing the ‘outburst’.
But others feel there’s an as yet uncovered real reason as to why boobs are growing, …. Source article  : Boffins scratching heads over mega boobs mystery.

Beta blockers may reduce breast cancer spread

LONDON – The ability of breast cancer to spread around the body can be reduced with the help of blood pressure drugs, researchers have said.

According to a joint UK and German study, the drugs may block hormones that trigger the spread of cancer cells.
However, the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Body lice originate from head lice

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that body lice, which often lead to dangerous epidemics, originate from head lice.

The French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) released a statement confirming the finding.
It stated: “This has recently been shown … Read more >>>.

Impoverished Tajiks buy stock in epic dam project amid wave of Soviet-style propaganda

Tajiks sink money into Soviet-style dam project

MADANIYAT, Tajikistan – When Abdullo Bobokhonov’s grandson was born in this Tajik village, he named the baby after a government-ordered hydroelectric dam and raised a small fortune to help fund it.
In the capital, Dushanbe, law student Alyona Arkhipova complains she was told she couldn’t sit her exams unless she …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Impoverished Tajiks buy stock in epic dam project amid wave of Soviet-style propaganda.

US skylines, landmarks go dark for ‘Earth Hour’ campaign to promote action on climate change

US skylines join world going dark for ‘Earth Hour’

ATLANTA – Who turned out the lights? A global campaign to raise awareness on climate change has reached the United States.
The Earth Hour event organized by the World Wildlife Fund began Saturday at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and is scrolling westward as each …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US skylines, landmarks go dark for ‘Earth Hour’ campaign to promote action on climate change.

Gloria De Campeao wins $10 million Dubai World Cup, nosing out Lizard’s Desire

Gloria De Campeao wins $10 million Dubai World Cup

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Gloria De Campeao won the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday in a photo finish, nosing out long-shot Lizard’s Desire to capture the world’s richest horse race.
Gloria De Campeao, Lizard’s Desire and Allybar practically hit the wire together on the all-weather …. Original article  : Gloria De Campeao wins $10 million Dubai World Cup, nosing out Lizard’s Desire.

Delhi switches off lights for Earth Hour

NEW DELHI – As the clock struck 8.30 p.m. Saturday, hundreds of Delhiites voluntarily switched off their lights for one hour to observe Earth Hour, a global climate awareness initiative.

The Earth Hour is a global initiative by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that aims to send out the message on climate change … Read : Delhi switches off lights for Earth Hour.

Moscow readies to power down as global warming warning event Earth Hour rolls round to Europe

Landmarks, cities worldwide unplug for Earth Hour

LONDON – Europe’s best known landmarks – including the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and Rome’s Colosseum – fell dark Saturday, following Sydney’s Opera House and Beijing’s Forbidden City in joining a global climate change protest, as lights were switched off across the world to mark the Earth Hour event.
In …. Original article  : Moscow readies to power down as global warming warning event Earth Hour rolls round to Europe.

Mumbai turns off lights during Earth Hour

MUMBAI – Lakhs of Mumbai residents, corporates and government organisations enthusiastically participated in the second Earth Hour Saturday night by switching off all non-essential lights for one hour in their homes, offices and public places, organisers said.

The Earth Hour got underway with a large candle light procession led by Mumbai’s Mayor Shraddha Jadhav from her … Original article on : Mumbai turns off lights during Earth Hour.

Scientists steal electricity from algae for the first time

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that scientists from California and Korea have successfully stolen an electric current from algae for the first time, which could eventually create a new and environmentally friendly way to generate electricity.

Creatures have … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scientists steal electricity from algae for the first time.

Sydney shuts off the lights to mark Earth Hour, amid pleas for deal on fighting global warming

Landmarks go dark, millions unplug for Earth Hour

SYDNEY – The white-shelled roof of the Sydney Opera House fell dark Saturday night, one of the first landmarks to turn out the lights in an hour-long gesture to be repeated by millions of people around the world who are calling for a binding pact to cut greenhouse …. Source article  : Sydney shuts off the lights to mark Earth Hour, amid pleas for deal on fighting global warming.

Platinum-free material means fuel-efficient engines at lower cost

WASHINGTON – Chemists have discovered that the expensive platinum catalyst that cleans diesel-car exhaust fumes can be replaced with cheaper materials, a finding that may lower the cost of fuel-efficient engines, including those in petrol vehicles – making it easier for carmakers … Read more »».

New bird fossil found in China hints at more undiscovered ancient treasures

WASHINGTON – A newly described bird from the Jehol Biota of northeast China suggests that scientists have only tapped a small proportion of the birds and dinosaurs that were living at that time, and that the rocks still have many secrets to reveal.

“The study of …. Read the original article  : New bird fossil found in China hints at more undiscovered ancient treasures.

Modified yeast to boost biofuel production

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has worked out how to modify yeast cells so that they successfully convert a wider range of sugars from plant waste such as wheat and rice straw into alcohol that can be used as biofuel.

The scientists in question are …. Original article  : Modified yeast to boost biofuel production.

Now use eye movement to play computer games

LONDON – In an invention that could go a long way in helping the disabled, students have developed a computer game that can be operated by eye movement.

The students, from Imperial College London (ICL), have developed an open source game called ‘Pong’, where a player uses his eye to move a bat to hit a …. Source article  : Now use eye movement to play computer games.

Bugs can help rid oceans of plastic pollution

LONDON – Bits of plastic floating in the ocean are not just unsightly but are also a potential threat to marine life and our eco-system. But there is some hope, say researchers.

Coastal microbes may offer a smart solution to clean up plastic contamination, said Jesse Harrison, from the University of Sheffield in Britain, part of … Read more : Bugs can help rid oceans of plastic pollution.

Air pollution shortening Brits’ lives by nine years

LONDON – The level of air pollution is so high in the UK that it is shortening people’s lives by up to nine years, according to a report by the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee.

Nitrogen oxides, ozone and particles of sulphate, carbon and dust are the most common … Original article on : Air pollution shortening Brits’ lives by nine years.

Marine ecosystems under threat from ocean acidification

WASHINGTON – Experiments by a team of scientists has determined that acidification of the oceans as a result of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) could have significant effects on marine ecosystems.

Postgraduate researcher Michael Maguire, together with colleagues at Newcastle University, performed experiments in which …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

China has added over 3 million hectares of new forests since 2000

WASHINGTON – A new report indicates that in the last ten years, China has displayed an incredible feat of environmental engineering by adding over 3 million hectares of new forests, in order to combat deforestation.

According to Discovery News, a new report issued by … Read more »».

Coastal microbes may offer smart solution to clean up plastic contamination

WASHINGTON – In a new research, a team of scientists has determined that coastal microbes may offer a smart solution to clean up plastic contamination.

The research was carried out by scientists from the University of Sheffield and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries … Read more : Coastal microbes may offer smart solution to clean up plastic contamination.

Google to hand out Internet guide leaflet

LONDON – Google is set to encourage more people to turn to cyberspace with plans of producing an Internet guide in a leaflet.

The search giant will hand out the information on how to work basic online tasks, such as communicating with friends, and not promote its …. Original article  : Google to hand out Internet guide leaflet.

New strategy to treat type 2 diabetes

LONDON – A cellular pathway that fails when people become obese has been identified, and scientists believe that it could act as a new strategy for treating type 2 diabetes.

By activating this pathway artificially, researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston could normalize blood …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Teens’ music taste determined by conformity with peers: Study

LONDON – A new study has linked teenagers’ music choices to the horror of failing to conform with their peers.

Gregory Berns, Chair of Neuroeconomics at Emory Univerity in the US, conducted the research on teenagers listening to songs on social networking sites such as MySpace.
“We wanted to know, …. Original article  : Teens’ music taste determined by conformity with peers: Study.

Scientists identify gene that dramatically boosts yield in tomatoes

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has identified a gene that pushes hybrid tomato plants to spectacularly increase yield.

The yield-boosting power of this gene, which controls when plants make flowers, works in different varieties of tomato, and crucially, across a range of environmental conditions.
“This discovery … Read more >>.

‘Big Bang Machine’ all set to start operations tomorrow

LONDON – Reports indicate that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), popularly known as the ‘Big Bang Machine’, is all set to start operations aimed for record-breaking high-energy particle experiments on March 30, after an 18-month delay for repairs.

According to a report in The Guardian, operators of …. Read the original article  : ‘Big Bang Machine’ all set to start operations tomorrow.

Fossil find reveals tinier version of T-Rex

SYDNEY – A fossil find shows that a tinier version of T-Rex existed in Australia.

An international team found the hip bone at Dinosaur Cove in south-west Victoria. The team was led by Pat Rich, paleontology professor at Monash University (MU), and Tom Rich, honorary researcher in the School of Geosciences.
Researchers believe the bone would … Original article on : Fossil find reveals tinier version of T-Rex.

Now, tiny gold probes to tell how disease develops

WASHINGTON – Taking a leap in diagnosing ailments, researchers have now developed tiny probes comprising gold-coated particles that can be implanted into patients and tell how a disease is progressing.

After being inserted into cells, the gold particles could enable diseases to be detected and monitored remotely using light … Read more : Now, tiny gold probes to tell how disease develops.

‘Hormone therapy’ may help treat food-borne infections

WASHINGTON – In the gut, decoding hormonal messages that help to reduce the production of lethal toxins by pathogenic bacteria, could be a better way to treat serious food-borne infections where antibiotics do more harm than good, according to scientists.

Vanessa Sperandio said that gut bacteria, …. Read the original article  : ‘Hormone therapy’ may help treat food-borne infections.

Skipper wants to ‘fly’ boat around the world in 40 days

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that Alain Thebault, the captain of the world’s fastest sailboat, the Hydroptere, has announced that he wants to sail his boat around the world in 40 days.

According to a report in Discovery News, Thebault has said [..] Read the original article: here.

Rainfall brings relief to drought-hit Chinese province

BEIJING – Cloud seeding brought rainfall over the weekend in drought hit Yunnan province in southwest China, a media report said Monday.

Meteorologists, however, said the light to moderate rainfall will have limited effect on the worst drought situation affecting the region in a century.
Rainfall occurred in 11 cities and prefectures, including Kunming, capital of …. Original article  : Rainfall brings relief to drought-hit Chinese province.

Pet rodents smarter than wild relatives, courtesy owners

WASHINGTON – Domesticated animals such as rodents have been found to showcase more intelligence than their wild relatives, thanks to owners, says a new study.

Researchers from the University of Munster, Germany, based the main focus of their study on guinea pigs.
Lars Lewejohann and colleagues examined how domesticated … Read : Pet rodents smarter than wild relatives, courtesy owners.

Alcohol tester to expose drink fraud developed

LONDON – Experts have come up with a briefcase-sized testing kit that helps measure alcohol content in drinks.

The new portable device, manufactured by Unisensor Sensorsysteme, also of Karlsruhe, was said to be available for 3,000 pounds and produced almost similar results to powerful lab equipment.
Dirk Lachenmeier of the Chemical and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Alcohol tester to expose drink fraud developed.

Mercury soars, another hot week for Delhi

NEW DELHI – With the minimum temperature remaining well above average early Monday, the capital is set for yet another scorching week ahead, the weather office said.

“The minimum temperature recorded early Monday was five degrees above average, at 22 degrees Celsius. The maximum is expected to touch 38 degrees Celsius,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) … Read more : Mercury soars, another hot week for Delhi.

Hailstorm damages houses, crops in northeast India

AGARTALA/AIZAWL – Hundreds of houses were destroyed, a large number of trees, electric and telephone posts uprooted and crops heavily damaged in pre-monsoon rains accompanied by strong wind and hailstorm in Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur, official sources said here Tuesday.

Officials in the state capitals said the seasonal cyclonic rainstorm accompanied by heavy lightning, which lashed …. Source  : Hailstorm damages houses, crops in northeast India.

Love turns fatal as jumbos clash over female

RAIPUR – A tragic love story played out in the jungles of Chhattisgarh when two male jumbos clashed for several hours over a female elephant, eventually killing one of them, a forest official said Tuesday.

“Two male wild jumbos fought a fatal war in Gharghora forest circle of Raigarh district for several hours Monday to have … Read more »».

‘Door to afterlife’ unearthed at Karnak temple in Egypt

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that an Egyptian excavation team has unearthed a 3,500-year-old door to the afterlife from the tomb of a high-ranking Egyptian official near Karnak temple in Luxor.

Engraved with religious texts, the six-foot-tall red granite door belonged to the tomb … Read more »».

Biblical plagues happened in reality, say scientists

LONDON – Scientists have claimed that the Biblical plagues that devastated Ancient Egypt in the Old Testament really happened and were the result of global warming and a volcanic eruption.

According to a report in The Telegraph, researchers believe they … Read : Biblical plagues happened in reality, say scientists.

Tiny dinosaur tailor-made for running discovered

LONDON – Scientists have discovered a tiny dinosaur tailor-made for running, according to a new Chinese-Canadian-British study.

The fossil skeleton of the tiny animal, named Xixianykus Zhangi, is incomplete but would probably have been half-a-metre long. The specimen comes from Xixia County in Henan province, China.
This late Cretaceous ‘road-runner’ had a number of adaptations …. Source  : Tiny dinosaur tailor-made for running discovered.

World’s smallest superconductor discovered

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that scientists have discovered the world’s smallest superconductor, which is a sheet of four pairs of molecules less than one nanometer wide.

The Ohio University-led study provides the first evidence that nanoscale molecular superconducting wires can be fabricated, which … Read more »».

Climate change may have rang the death knell for Angkor’s Khmer civilization

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have come across evidence which suggests that climate change may have helped bring about the fall of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer civilization at Angkor nearly 600 years ago.

Historians have offered various explanations for the fall of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Climate change may have rang the death knell for Angkor’s Khmer civilization.

See Venus and Mercury pair up in twilight for next 2 weeks

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that sky gazers are going be treated with the rare spectacle of Venus and Mercury forming an eye-catching pair for nearly the next two weeks, about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset.

“Mercury is pretty hard to spot most of the time, so a lot …. Original article  : See Venus and Mercury pair up in twilight for next 2 weeks.

Hyenas’ laughter signals decoded

WASHINGTON – The giggling sounds of a hyena contain important information about the animal’s age, dominance and identity, scientists have found.

In the study, researchers recorded the calls of 26 hyenas in captivity and found that variations in the giggles’ pitch and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hyenas’ laughter signals decoded.

Bats rely on sun’s position at sunset to navigate

WASHINGTON – Despite the fact that bats are nocturnal creatures, they rely on the position of the sun at sunset to navigate, a new study has found.

For the study, scientists at the Max Planck Institute examined greater mouse-eared bats to see if they could …. Read the original article  : Bats rely on sun’s position at sunset to navigate.

Kids’ perception of threat from parental fighting determines trauma symptoms

WASHINGTON – A new study by researchers in the US has suggested that if kids feel threatened by even very low levels of violence between their parents, they may be at increased risk for developing trauma symptoms.

The research showed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kids’ perception of threat from parental fighting determines trauma symptoms.

Blocking protein activity prevents Alzheimer’s-like memory loss in fruit flies

WASHINGTON – Blocking the cellular signalling activity of a protein, called PI3 kinase, could prevent memory loss in fruit flies caused by brain plaques similar to those characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease in humans, according to a study.

Conducted by neuroscientists at …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Blocking protein activity prevents Alzheimer’s-like memory loss in fruit flies.

Renaissance painters ‘cheated’ with optical aids, say experts

LONDON – Analysing a 16th-century artwork dubbed a “Rosetta stone” for optical techniques, art experts have said that some Renaissance artists used lenses or mirrors to help them paint more accurately.

In 2000, artist David Hockney and optical scientist Charles Falco of the University of Arizona in Tucson, proposed the theory … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Renaissance painters ‘cheated’ with optical aids, say experts.

Brainstorming and creativity do not go hand in hand

WASHINGTON – Brainstorming may not be the best way to get creative juices flowing among people, groups, or organizations, according to an upcoming study from Applied Cognitive Psychology.

The researchers from Texas A and … Read more »».

First-ever single-claw dinosaur fossil found in China

NEW DELHI – Reports indicate that Chinese scientists have found what is believed to be one of the oldest ever fossils of the “one claw” species of dinosaur.

The fossil was discovered at the Upper Cretaceous Majiacun Formation of Xixia County, in central China’s Henan Province.
It dates back more than 63 million years, and represented one …. Source article  : First-ever single-claw dinosaur fossil found in China.

“Pac-Man” eats dots on Saturn’s icy moon Mimas!

WASHINGTON – An interesting new temperature map of Saturn’s tiny moon Mimas has revealed an unexpected hot region that resembles “Pac-Man” eating a dot.

The highest-resolution-yet temperature map and images of the icy moon Mimas was obtained by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft.
It has revealed surprising patterns on the surface of the small moon, including unexpected hot regions …. Source  : “Pac-Man” eats dots on Saturn’s icy moon Mimas!.

Scientists create Alzheimer’s rat for human research

WASHINGTON – A group of scientists has genetically manipulated rat to create ideal model for studying Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

Prof. Claudio Cuello at McGill University and his collaborators have genetically manipulated rats that can emulate Alzheimer’s disease in humans, enabling research that will include the development of new treatments.
Alzheimer’s is a brain condition leading to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists create Alzheimer’s rat for human research.

Potential new target for treating hepatitis C identified

WASHINGTON – A team of researchers has discovered that binding of a potent inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) to the genetic material of the virus causes a major conformational change that may adversely affect the ability of the virus to replicate.

This discovery, published in the March 29 early edition of the Proceedings of … Read more »».

Nanosatellite set to rid space of dangerous junk

LONDON – A tiny three-kg satellite or “nanosatellite” will rid the space of dangerous clouds of junk hurtling around in the earth’s lower orbit.

More than 5,500 tonnes of junk is believed to be cluttering space around the planet as a result of 50 years of abandoned spacecraft.
The junk opens the possibility of collision … Read more »».

Scorpion venom may help understand cause, treatment of pancreatitis

WASHINGTON – Researchers at North Carolina State University and East Carolina University have gained insight into scorpion venom’s effects on the ability of certain cells to release critical components – a finding that may prove useful in understanding diseases like pancreatitis or … Read more : Scorpion venom may help understand cause, treatment of pancreatitis.

Molecule that keeps skeletal stem cells ‘young’ could treat osteoporosis, fracture

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found how to control a key molecular player to keep stem cells in a sort of extended infancy, which could pave the way for new methods to fight maladies ranging from arthritis and osteoporosis to broken bones.

For a …. Source article  : Molecule that keeps skeletal stem cells ‘young’ could treat osteoporosis, fracture.

Orissa investigators in Haryana to trace stolen macaws

BHUBANESWAR – A team of investigators from Orissa is camping at Gurgaon in Haryana to trace a pair of macaws stolen last year from Nandankanan zoo here, an official said Wednesday.

The team comprising two inspectors of crime branch police and an assistant conservator of forests (wild life) is verifying if the stolen macaws are with … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Orissa investigators in Haryana to trace stolen macaws.

Tigress strays into village, kills teenager

BHOPAL – A tigress strayed into a village located on the outskirts of the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh and killed an 18-year-old girl Tuesday. It is hiding in a farm and all efforts to nab it have so far proved futile, an official said Wednesday.

“The park officials are trying to nab the tiger …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tigress strays into village, kills teenager.

Runaway star may have spawned our solar system

LONDON – A team of scientists has theorized that a runaway star may have spawned our solar system.

Meteorites that contain bits of rock called calcium-aluminium-rich inclusions suggest that the solar system may have formed very quickly from the ashes of other stars.
That’s because the inclusions formed with … Read more »».

Common house ants prosper in urban settings

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that the most common house ant species, built for living in some of the smallest spaces in a forest, prosper in urban areas.

The study revealed that odorous house ant colonies become larger and more complex as they move … Original article on : Common house ants prosper in urban settings.

‘Evil twin of global warming’ threatens world’s oceans

WASHINGTON – Scientists have warned that ocean acidification, which is dubbed the ‘evil twin of global warming’, caused by a rise in human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), threatens the world’s oceans.

“Ocean conditions are already more extreme than those experienced by marine organisms and ecosystems …. Source article  : ‘Evil twin of global warming’ threatens world’s oceans.

Strong quake hits Andamans

KUALA LUMPUR – A strong earthquake of 6.4 Richter magnitude hit the Andaman Islands Wednesday.

A Meteorological Department statement here said the earthquake hit at 12.55 a.m.
The epicentre was at 13.51 degrees north and 92.85 degrees east, about 751 km north west of Ranong, Thailand, and 1,110 km north-west of Langkawi.
No tsunami warning …. Source article  : Strong quake hits Andamans.

Indian-American engineer set to transform US power grid

WASHINGTON – Although the US power industry is one of the greatest engineering marvels, ageing technology and an increase in demand are creating problems for the power grid that needs fixing. Now, an Indian-American engineer is set to transform the way power is generated.

Venkat Selvamanickam, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Houston, is … Read : Indian-American engineer set to transform US power grid.

Large Hadron Collider gets research programme cracking

LONDON – Beams collided at seven trillion electron volts in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, as the research programme got underway Tuesday.

The LHC lies in a tunnel 27 km in circumference, as much as 175 metres beneath the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland.
Particle physicists worldwide … Read : Large Hadron Collider gets research programme cracking.

Toads can detect quakes and switch to evacuation mode

WASHINGTON – A new study by scientists has suggested that common toads can detect impending seismic activity and alter their behaviour from breeding to evacuation mode.

Researchers from The Open University in the UK reported that 96 per cent of male toads in a population abandoned their breeding …. Original source  : Toads can detect quakes and switch to evacuation mode.

What are memories really made of

LONDON – Performing a study on sea slugs-organisms known for a relatively simple nervous system-researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have shown what are memories really made of.

It is already known that memory formation … Original article on : What are memories really made of.

Power of plants harnessed to fight hemophilia

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida have modified plants to fight hemophilia, a disease linked with legends of European monarchs.

The standard treatment for the disease is infusion with an expensively produced protein that helps the blood to clot. But in some patients the immune system fights the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Power of plants harnessed to fight hemophilia.

‘Eat breakfast like a king’ the best way to prevent metabolic syndrome

WASHINGTON – Higher fat at breakfast may be healthier than you think, concludes a new University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) study.

According to researchers, the adage “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper” can be the best advice to follow to prevent metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Eat breakfast like a king’ the best way to prevent metabolic syndrome.

Even pain-associated words hurt

WASHINGTON – It is not only the painful memories and associations that set our pain memory on the alert, pain-associated words too pinch in the brain, researchers have shown.

“Even verbal stimuli lead to reactions in certain areas of the brain”, claims Dr. Thomas Weiss … Original source on Gaea Times at : Even pain-associated words hurt.

Brain estrogen drug an ‘effective therapy’ for schizophrenics

WASHINGTON – Raloxifene, a synthetic estrogen currently used to treat osteoporosis, is showing promise as an effective therapy for women who suffer from schizophrenia, it has been claimed.

Raloxifene, which influences neurotransmitter and neuronal systems in the brain, has beneficial effects … Read : Brain estrogen drug an ‘effective therapy’ for schizophrenics.

Bobcat that walked through front door of Washington state home removed, released into wild

Bobcat walks in front door of Washington home

PORT LUDLOW, Wash. – A Washington state homeowner says he left his front door open for his own cats. He wasn’t expecting a 35-pound bobcat to walk in, but that’s what happened.
The Port Ludlow resident told animal control officers he watched the wild cat jump over a couch, …. Read the original article  : Bobcat that walked through front door of Washington state home removed, released into wild.

Who killed the Panna tigers: CBI probe sought

BHOPAL – The complete disappearance of tigers from the Panna reserve continues to stoke controversy. Now the Madhya Pradesh forest minister himself says the big cats were poached and has asked for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

Panna Tiger Reserve, which was found to have around two dozen tigers after the census in January …. Source  : Who killed the Panna tigers: CBI probe sought.

Hot day in store for Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi is likely to witness a hot day Wednesday with the met office predicting above-normal day temperature.

The capital Wednesday reported a minimum of 23 degrees Celsius, six notches above normal for this time of the season.
“Skies will mainly be clear with the maximum temperature likely to hover around 38 degrees …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

India plans to launch 10 satellites every year

BANGALORE – Indian space scientists and engineers are bracing up to launch an average of 10 satellites per year to meet the rising demand for various space applications, including communications and remote sensing, a top space scientist said.

“We are planning to launch 10 satellites per year, beginning fiscal 2010-11. We have a series of satellites … Read : India plans to launch 10 satellites every year.

Obama opens door to offshore drilling in Virginia, rejects plans for new Alaska sites

Obama to allow oil drilling off Virginia coast
WASHINGTON – In a reversal of a long-standing ban on most offshore drilling, President Barack Obama is allowing oil drilling 50 miles off Virginia’s shorelines. At the same time, he is rejecting some new drilling sites that had been … Read more >>>.