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 >>>.

Novel stem cell therapy to tackle HIV

WASHINGTON – A novel stem cell therapy could in the future be used to treat HIV, say researchers.

Researchers are studying a new approach that arms the immune system with an intrinsic defence against HIV.
While speaking at the Society for General Microbiology’s spring meeting in Edinburgh, Professor … Original article on : Novel stem cell therapy to tackle HIV.

Therapeutic target to stop cancer metastases found

WASHINGTON – Scientists from New York University have found therapeutic target to stop cancer metastases.

Published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, the new research suggests that combating immune suppressive cells in the liver early after a cancer develops may keep the disease from spreading to the liver.
“Our … Read more »».

Self-test for memory disorders designed

WASHINGTON – Researchers have designed a self-administered test to screen for early dementia, and it could help speed the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The handwritten self-assessment, which can take less than 15 minutes to complete, is a reliable tool for evaluating …. Original article  : Self-test for memory disorders designed.

Unroasted coffee beans the next-gen insecticides?

WASHINGTON – Proteins in unroasted coffee beans may become next-generation insecticides, scientists in Brazil have reported.

The boffins claimed that coffee beans contain proteins that can kill insects and might be developed into new insecticides for protecting food crops against destructive pests.
Their study, which …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Dinosaur skull shape changed drastically during growth

WASHINGTON – University of Michigan paleontologists have claimed that long-necked sauropod dinosaur, Diplodocus, went through drastic changes in skull shape during normal growth.

To reach the conclusion, paleontologists John Whitlock and Jeffrey Wilson, along with Matthew Lamanna from the Carnegie Museum examined …. Original source  : Dinosaur skull shape changed drastically during growth.

Scientists grow jaw bone from adult stem cells

WASHINGTON – Scientists have for the first time grown a complex, full-size jaw bone from human adult stem cells.

Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, professor of biomedical engineering at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, reports that her team grew a temporomandibular joint (TMJ-joint of the jaw) from stem cells derived from bone marrow.
“The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists grow jaw bone from adult stem cells.

Songbird’s genome may offer clues to human speech

LONDON – Scientists have sequenced the complete genome of a songbird – the Australian zebra finch.

According to researchers, their work could provide insights into how humans learn language and new ways of studying speech disorders.
During the study, researchers found a much higher proportion …. Original article  : Songbird’s genome may offer clues to human speech.

Gene therapy successfully restores vision in mice

WASHINGTON – Using a form of gene therapy that does not involve the use of modified viruses, researchers at Buffalo, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City took a major step towards making the blind see.

Scientists have described how they used a non-viral, synthetic nanoparticle carrier to improve and save the sight …. Original source  : Gene therapy successfully restores vision in mice.

Look up in the sky, to remember good things of life

WASHINGTON – A happy person is on top of the world, a sad person is down in the dumps-that is how we use spatial words to describe positive and negative emotions. Now, scientists have said that we use spatial concepts to think about emotional states as well.

To …. Source article  : Look up in the sky, to remember good things of life.

Soon, pill that signals it has been swallowed

WASHINGTON – University of Florida engineering researchers are designing a pill which confirms that patients have taken their medication.

The boffins have added a tiny microchip and digestible antenna to a standard pill capsule. The prototype is intended to pave the way for mass-produced pills …. Original article  : Soon, pill that signals it has been swallowed.

Osteoarthritis tied to unequal length of leg

WASHINGTON – Arthritis in the knee is linked to the common trait of having one leg that is longer than the other, claims a new study.

Developing early strategies for treatment may be possible, believes Derek Cooke, Queen’s University adjunct professor and a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Osteoarthritis tied to unequal length of leg.

Coming soon: Drug that slows ageing process?

LONDON – The secrets of a key gene that helps us to live longer and fight disease have been unlocked by University of Birmingham researchers.

With the breakthrough, boffins believe developing drugs that slow the ageing process could be a possibility, reports The Daily Express.
They reckon a drug based …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bacterial memory helps them sense peril and food

LONDON – It’s not easy being a bacterium and constantly having to adapt to whatever your environment throws at you.

Robert Endres of Imperial College, London, (ICL) explained how bacteria rely on their ‘memory’ to fine-tune their ability to sense food and danger.
Endres and his team at ICL, developed a mathematical model to … Read : Bacterial memory helps them sense peril and food.

More miles on less fuel: Gov’t setting tough new efficiency standards for advanced vehicles

Fuel efficiency rules aimed at advanced vehicles
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is setting tough gas mileage standards for new cars and trucks, spurring the next generation of fuel-sipping gas-electric hybrids, efficient engines and electric cars.
The heads of the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday were signing … Read more : More miles on less fuel: Gov’t setting tough new efficiency standards for advanced vehicles.

Fathers activate exploration in toddlers

WASHINGTON – Fathers give toddlers more breathing space and that allows them to actively explore their environments, according to a new study.

The Universite de Montreal study has been published in Early Child Development and Care.
Daniel …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Fathers activate exploration in toddlers.

Japanese start buying affordable electric cars, helped by government incentives, price war

Japanese start buying affordable electric cars

TOKYO – Japan’s first mass-market electric car went on sale in showrooms Thursday as the futuristic technology becomes more affordable amid a burgeoning price war.
The four-seater bubble-shaped i-MiEV from Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Japan’s fifth-biggest automaker, costs 2.8 million yen ($30,500) after government incentives are figured into the price of 4 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japanese start buying affordable electric cars, helped by government incentives, price war.

Unhappy people unlikely to find job satisfaction

WASHINGTON – Those unhappy in life are unlikely to find satisfaction at work, a new study says.

Nathan Bowling, assistant professor at Wright State University and colleagues Kevin Eschleman and Qiang Wang undertook an analysis of the results of 223 studies carried out between 1967 and 2008.
The studies investigated the combination of job … Original source on Gaea Times at : Unhappy people unlikely to find job satisfaction.

Sri Lanka’s national parks reopen after 25 years

COLOMBO – After remaining closed for more than 25 years because of the civil war between the security forces and the Tamil tigers, Sri Lanka’s national parks are once again set to see tourists flocking there.

Designated as a sanctuary in 1905 and upgraded to a national park in 1938, the country’s largest wildlife area, Wilpattu, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sri Lanka’s national parks reopen after 25 years.

Mars rover Spirit misses communication session, may be in low-power ‘hibernation’ for winter

Mars rover Spirit misses communication session

LOS ANGELES – The aging, sand-trapped Mars rover Spirit failed to make a scheduled communication this week and may have gone into a power-saving hibernation to survive the Red Planet’s winter, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said Wednesday.
Spirit had been expected to communicate with the orbiting Mars Odyssey spacecraft on Tuesday.
“We … Read more »»».

Fla. Everglades restoration plan to buy land from sugar farmers jeopardized by judge’s ruling

Ruling could hinder US Sugar/Everglades deal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A federal judge overseeing Everglades restoration has ordered Florida officials to restart a stalled multimillion-dollar construction project once aimed at helping store water to help clean the ecosystem of pollution.
U.S District Judge Federico Moreno on Wednesday granted a motion from the Miccosukee Indians, who live …. Read the original article  : Fla. Everglades restoration plan to buy land from sugar farmers jeopardized by judge’s ruling.

Russian rocket takes off for International Space Station

Moscow, April 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian rocket carrying two cosmonauts and a US astronaut took off on a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur space centre Friday.

Russian cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Korniyenko and US astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, part of the ISS Expedition 23, are scheduled to land [..] Read the original article: here.

Leaders act more decisively in crowd-like situations

LONDON – Do you find yourself leading groups, or are you more comfortable following others? The latest research shows that if you want to be a leader you are better off at the edges of a crowd, and not in the middle of the action.

In experiments on crowd behaviour, a biological science research team at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Leaders act more decisively in crowd-like situations.

Carbon emissions lead to dangerous changes in oceans

SYDNEY – The rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is driving fundamental and dangerous changes in the chemistry and ecosystems of the world’s oceans, warn international marine scientists.

More than 30 percent of the CO2 released from burning fossil fuels, cement production, deforestation and other human activities goes straight into the oceans, turning them gradually more … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Carbon emissions lead to dangerous changes in oceans.

How an ordinary T-shirt could become body armor

WASHINGTON – An ordinary cotton T-shirt can be converted into body armour, thanks to scientists from South Carolina, Switzerland and China.

They combined the carbon in the cotton with boron to create a tough, lightweight fabric of boron carbide, the … Read more »»».

Blind snakes inhabited Madagascar even before its creation

WASHINGTON – A newfound snake family’s genes have indicated that blind snakes lived on the island of Madagascar even before it was an island.

The discovery could help decode how these rarely seen, and not completely blind snakes came to colonize much of the planet.
Blind snakes, growing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Blind snakes inhabited Madagascar even before its creation.

Mechanism behind calcium protein mutation causing night blindness uncovered

LONDON – The molecular mechanism behind the mutation in a calcium channel protein that causes congenital stationary night blindness has now been uncovered, courtesy researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Congenital stationary night blindness is an inherited condition that affects one’s ability to see in the … Original article on : Mechanism behind calcium protein mutation causing night blindness uncovered.

Baby elephant dies in Alipore zoo

KOLKATA – A baby elephant died of diarrhoea in the Alipore Zoological Garden here Friday, a forest department official said.

The four-month-old ailing elephant had been given five bottles of saline after it developed an infection, said West Bengals Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Atanu Raha.
It had been brought to the zoo when it was …. Source article  : Baby elephant dies in Alipore zoo.

California bill would expand pesticide safety program, targeting threats to farmworkers

Calif. bill would expand pesticide safety program

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Josefina Miranda doesn’t need scientific studies to tell her about the dangers of pesticide exposure. She knows them all too well.
On a Thursday morning in 1995, the four-months pregnant farmworker spent several hours working in a field in the small Central Valley town of Earlimart – …. Source article  : California bill would expand pesticide safety program, targeting threats to farmworkers.

Scientists sequence peach tree DNA

WASHINGTON – Scientists have sequenced the DNA of the Lovell peach tree.
The tree’s DNA sequence has opened a new era in fruit-tree research that could have far-reaching implications for the future of peaches, as well as many other valuable plants.

This genome sequence is the culmination of an … Read more >>>.

Sleep apnea associated with hard-to-diagnose eye disorders

WASHINGTON – Scientists in the UK have found that the condition known as floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is strongly linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The finding implies that when doctors see FES in a patient, they should also look for OSA, and vice-versa.
Study’s lead author Daniel G. Ezra, MRCOphth, of …. Read the original article  : Sleep apnea associated with hard-to-diagnose eye disorders.

Drug that extends life span may prevent Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Rapamycin, a drug that has been shown to extend lifespan in mice and is used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, has demonstrated an ability to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

A few weeks after a report that rapamycin curbed the effects of Alzheimer’s disease …. Source article  : Drug that extends life span may prevent Alzheimer’s.

Laughter not the best medicine after all

WASHINGTON – Laughter is not the best medicine, that’s what a scientist has pointed out.
In a study, Dr. Margaret Stuber, a psychiatry professor at University of California Los Angeles Medical School, studied whether laughter helped patients.

After analyses, she found [..] Read the original article: here.

On/off button on plants’ alarm system discovered

WASHINGTON – A group of biologists has discovered an on/off button on plants’ alarm system.
When attacked by herbivores or pathogens, plants respond by activating defense programs that drive off or even kill the attackers. These defense responses require a great deal …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

For Stone Age Scandinavians, milk was ‘too hard to swallow’

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Uppsala University and Stockholm University have claimed that the hunter-gatherers who inhabited the southern coast of Scandinavia 4,000 years ago were lactose intolerant.

The study has been published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology.
It supports the researchers’ earlier conclusion … Read : For Stone Age Scandinavians, milk was ‘too hard to swallow’.

Rain, snowfall likely in Himachal Friday

SHIMLA – Temperatures across Himachal Pradesh hover four to seven degrees Celsius above average — but the weatherman Friday held out hopes of rain and snowfall in the hill state.

“Western disturbances are approaching the region Friday. This would bring rain and snow in the hill state,” Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office here, … Read more »».

Anxiety of chronic worry may modify some of depression’s ill effects

WASHINGTON – Anxiety may modify depression for better or for worse, says a new study.
The research, thereby, establishes a link between anxiety and depression, claiming that they co-occur.

The study, in the journal Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, looked at depression and two types of anxiety: anxious arousal, the fearful vigilance that sometimes turns …. Original article  : Anxiety of chronic worry may modify some of depression’s ill effects.

Delhi may get some respite from heat

NEW DELHI – Delhiites may get some respite from the scorching heat with the likelihood of a cloudy sky Friday, the weatherman said.

The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 36.9 degrees Celsius, three degrees above average.
“The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.5 degrees Friday, also three degrees above average,” an official of …. Source article  : Delhi may get some respite from heat.

Rocket carrying 2 cosmonauts, 1 astronaut blasts off from Kazakhstan to Space Station

Rocket blasts off with 2 Russians, 1 American

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan – The International Space Station is set for some heavy traffic over the coming days in a tightly packed schedule that kicked off Friday when a Russian rocket transporting three astronauts blasted off from a space center in southern Kazakhstan.
The Soyuz craft carrying California native Tracy … Read more »»».

Rocket carrying NASA astronaut blasts off from Kazakhstan to International Space Station

Rocket with NASA astronaut blasts off for ISS

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan – A Russian rocket has blasted off from a space center in southern Kazakhstan, transporting a NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts to the International Space Station.
The Soyuz craft carrying California native Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Russians Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko rose into brilliant blue … Original article on : Rocket carrying NASA astronaut blasts off from Kazakhstan to International Space Station.

More miles on less fuel: Gov’t efficiency standards will mean higher car prices, fuel savings

New mileage rules: Pay more for cars, less at pump

WASHINGTON – Drivers will have to pay more for cars and trucks, but they’ll save at the pump under tough new federal rules aimed at boosting mileage, cutting emissions and hastening the next generation of fuel-stingy hybrids and electric cars.
The new standards, announced Thursday, call for … Original article on : More miles on less fuel: Gov’t efficiency standards will mean higher car prices, fuel savings.

Soon, drugs that could kill cancer cells before their formation

LONDON – Just like dentists scrape away plaque to prevent tooth decay, it would soon be possible to keep cancer at bay by killing off precancerous cells every few months.

Researchers have identified drugs that could accomplish the same in mice.
Until now, attempts at the “chemoprevention” of tumours have not been …. Original source  : Soon, drugs that could kill cancer cells before their formation.

Getting closer toward lightweight batteries

WASHINGTON – Researchers at MIT have taken a step closer towards a technology that could lead to lightweight batteries with up to three times the energy density of any battery that currently exists.

Yang Shao-Horn said that many groups … Read more »».

Cases of massive timber felling in Himachal

SHIMLA – The Himachal Pradesh forest department has registered 31 cases of illegal felling of trees, involving timber worth Rs.700,120, in less than a year, the state forest minister said Saturday.

“Eight ‘van thanas’ or forest police stations that were set up in the state in May last year have registered 31 cases of illegal forest …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cases of massive timber felling in Himachal.

Plastic electronics can slash cost of solar panels

WASHINGTON – A new technique developed by engineers for producing power-conducting plastics could slash the cost of making solar panels, say researchers. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Plastic electronics can slash cost of solar panels.

Now, technology to see through fog

WASHINGTON – Engineers have developed a new technology that will enable pilots to peer through fog and doctors to see more precisely into the human body without surgery.

Developed by Princeton engineers, the method relies on the surprising ability to clarify an image using rays of light that would typically make the image unrecognisable, such as …. Original article  : Now, technology to see through fog.

Showers likely in Uttar Pradesh Saturday

LUCKNOW – Temperatures across Uttar Pradesh have been hovering around a scorching 40 degrees Celsius but the weatherman has forcast rain in some parts of the state Saturday, signalling relief for the people.

“Due to upper air cyclonic pressure over western Uttar Pradesh, parts of the state would receive showers,” met department director J.P. Gupta told … Original article on : Showers likely in Uttar Pradesh Saturday.

Traces of rain, but its still hot in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Despite some rain a day earlier, the national capital continued to be hot Saturday, recording a minimum of 23.1 degrees Celsius, five notches above average for this time of the year.

“There were traces of rainfall yesterday evening. But the capital would still be warm Saturday. The sky is expected to be partly …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Traces of rain, but its still hot in Delhi.

Structure of key protein in common HIV subgroup uncovered

LONDON – Scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have uncovered the structure of key protein in common HIV subgroup.

The boffins have provided the first-ever glimpse of the structure of a key protein-gp120-found on the surface of a specific subgroup of the human immunodeficiency virus, … Read more »».

How the brain stores memories of specific fears

LONDON – Neuroscientists have found that the human brain is capable of holding and retrieving memories for specific fears.

The discovery reveals a more sophisticated storage and recall capacity of the brain than previously thought, boffins claim.
The study, which appears in the journal Nature Neuroscience, was conducted by … Read this article on Gaea Times at : How the brain stores memories of specific fears.

How introverts’ brains process the world around them

WASHINGTON – Introverts may actually process their world differently than others, leading to differences in how they respond to stimuli, say researchers.

About twenty percent of people are born with this “highly sensitive” trait, which may also … Read more »».

Here’s how human brain remembers the future

LONDON – A group of researchers has discovered that the brain saves energy by forecasting what it is likely to see.

Boffins in the Dept. of Psychology at the Univ. of Glasgow, working in collaboration with the Max-Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany, claim that the … Read more : Here’s how human brain remembers the future.

Federal historic council recommends US interior secretary reject Mass. coast wind farm project

Council: Feds should dump Mass. wind farm project
BOSTON – A federal council recommended Friday that the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior reject a proposed wind farm in Nantucket Sound, saying it would have “destructive” effects on dozens of nearby historic properties.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation said the Kennedy family …. Source  : Federal historic council recommends US interior secretary reject Mass. coast wind farm project.

Late Vt. budget trims would affect nursing home residents, state parks, other areas

Critics blast package of late Vt. budget trims

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Advocates for the elderly worry about changes in Medicaid funding for nursing homes, environmentalists say state park land would be sold too easily and regional planners say they can’t be rushed into a merger with economic development offices.
Those are among the complaints being voiced about … Read more »».

There goes Peter Cottontail: Bunnies have mysteriously forsaken New York’s Central Park

In NY’s Central Park, where goes Peter Cottontail?

NEW YORK – If anyone knows why the bunnies have disappeared from Central Park, wildlife officials are all ears.
Though abandoned pet rabbits perennially turn up after each Easter in what’s affectionately called New York’s backyard, a wild cottontail hasn’t been spotted in the park for about four years.
“I’ve …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

20-year study finds 50 native plants disappearing from NYC area, less diverse landscape

NYC study: 50 native plants disappearing
NEW YORK – Oriental Bittersweet was an exotic foreigner still found mostly in East Asia when the New York Botanical Garden planted its first specimen in 1897.

Today, it is everywhere. The shrubby vine is common in woodlands and fields in 21 states, ranging from North Carolina, to Maine, to Illinois.
The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 20-year study finds 50 native plants disappearing from NYC area, less diverse landscape.

Arch Coal sues EPA over veto of permit for largest surface mine in West Virginia

Arch Coal sues EPA over veto of W.Va. mine permit

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A subsidiary of mining giant Arch Coal Inc. sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday over the planned veto of a water quality permit for West Virginia’s largest surface mine.
St. Louis-based Arch argues in the federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., that the …. Read the original article  : Arch Coal sues EPA over veto of permit for largest surface mine in West Virginia.

Obama: US economy ‘turning the corner’ with positive jobs report, but times still hard

Obama welcomes jobs report as rare good news
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – President Barack Obama on Friday hailed a new government report showing the most jobs created in nearly three years. “We are beginning to turn the corner,” he told employees of a manufacturing plant that received government stimulus money.
Steps …. Source article  : Obama: US economy ‘turning the corner’ with positive jobs report, but times still hard.

Tiger reserves in country going Panna way, rues Ramesh

BHOPAL – Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh Friday said most of the tiger reserves in the country are in a bad shape and are going Panna and Sariska reserves way, which have no tigers left.

Ramesh, who was in this Madhya Pradesh capital for the seventh convocation of the Indian Institute … Read more : Tiger reserves in country going Panna way, rues Ramesh.

Heat wave intensifies in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Heat wave intensified in Orissa as Titilagarh town of Bolangir district Friday recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degree Celsius, the highest of the season in the state, an official said.

Unusually high temperatures were recorded in several places in the state, including Sambalpur at 42.5 degrees, Bolangir at 42.3, and Jharsuguda at 41.3 …. Source article  : Heat wave intensifies in Orissa.

NASA begins countdown for Discovery launch Monday; only 3 flights left after this one

NASA begins countdown for Monday’s shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA’s countdown clocks began ticking Friday for next week’s launch of shuttle Discovery on a space station supply run, one of only four remaining.
Discovery is scheduled to blast off just before dawn Monday with seven astronauts and a load of science experiments and spare parts … Read : NASA begins countdown for Discovery launch Monday; only 3 flights left after this one.

Pros and cons of the iPad

WASHINGTON – After weeks of buildup, the iPad finally debuted Saturday in the US.
The sleek device went on sale at Apple stores around the US and at branches of the leading electronics chain Best Buy, as well as through Apple’s website.

Long queues of consumers eager to be among the first to get their hands on …. Source  : Pros and cons of the iPad.

Child’s fossil could be missing link between man and ape

LONDON – A two-million-year-old skeleton of a child, discovered in South Africa, could be the missing link between apes and humans, and may lead to the history of human evolution being re-written, a media report said.

The Telegraph reported that the new species of hominid, the evolutionary branch of primates that includes humans, is to be …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Andaman earthquake confirms worst fears: Geologist

BANGALORE – The 6.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred north of the Andaman Islands on March 30 is yet another confirmation that this particular region will continue to be source of severe earthquakes, says a leading Indian geologist.

“This is what we had been worried about,” Vineet Gahalaut at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad … Read more »».

Scientists discover missing link between man and apes

LONDON – Experts have found a “missing link” between humans and their apelike ancestors.
The scientists will unveil a two-million-year-old skeleton of a child, thereby revealing the new species of hominid, the evolutionary branch of primates that includes humans, reports The Telegraph.

According to the boffins, the almost-complete fossilised skeleton belonged to a previously-unknown type of early … Read more >>.

Russian space official says Soyuz craft docked successfully at International Space Station

Russian spacecraft docks at orbiting station

MOSCOW – A Russian space official says a Soyuz craft carrying an American and two Russian astronauts has docked successfully at the International Space Station.
Russia’s Mission Control spokesman Valery Lyndin says the spacecraft hooked up with the orbiting station using an automatic docking system at 9:26 a.m. Moscow time (0526 …. Original article  : Russian space official says Soyuz craft docked successfully at International Space Station.

Send Nepal’s dancing bear Rubina to India: Rights activists

KATHMANDU – For years, Rubina, the “dancing bear”, wandered through Nepal’s villages with her gypsy master, beaten, starved and her hair plucked out by superstitious villagers in the hope it would guard them against illnesses.

Last month, though Nepal’s animal rights activists rescued the sloth bear – the species has been immortalised by Rudyard Kipling in …. Read the original article  : Send Nepal’s dancing bear Rubina to India: Rights activists.

Chinese to train Bolivians how to operate satellites

LA PAZ – Seventy-four Bolivians will get training from Chinese scientists on how to operate communication satellites, Bolivia’s vice-minister for telecommunications Roy Mendez said.

The trainees will learn the techniques of construction, pre-launch testing and gathering data from the satellites from the space.
He said a newly formed Bolivian Space Agency will also give training to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chinese to train Bolivians how to operate satellites.

Simple blood test for breast cancer developed

LONDON – A Norwegian company has developed a simple blood test for breast cancer in women.
Brainchild of Diagenic ASA, the test can pick up a cancer the size of a small seed before a woman has developed any symptoms, reports The Daily Express.

The test looks for raised levels … Read more : Simple blood test for breast cancer developed.

End of the road: Underdog Butler to meet powerhouse Duke in NCAA tournament final

Underdog Butler to meet powerhouse Duke in final

The NCAA tournament couldn’t have written a better script.
All that’s left is the final act.
It will be tiny upstart Butler, the hometown college that has never been on such a stage, taking on the blueblood Blue Devils of Duke, a school which already has three title banners hanging …. Source  : End of the road: Underdog Butler to meet powerhouse Duke in NCAA tournament final.

Blue Devils and Bulldogs: Duke beats WV, joins Butler in the NCAA final

Duke beats WV, joins Butler in the NCAA final

Duke will be playing for another national championship game, this time against the most unlikely of opponents.
The No. 1 seed Blue Devils got big games from Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler in a 78-57 rout of West Virginia, sending the South Regional champions into the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Blue Devils and Bulldogs: Duke beats WV, joins Butler in the NCAA final.

Air search spots oil patches near coal carrier aground on Great Barrier Reef off Australia

Oil seen near ship aground on Great Barrier Reef

BRISBANE, Australia – Small patches of oil were seen Sunday from a coal-carrying ship that ran aground on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Maritime Safety Queensland said in a statement that the Chinese coal carrier Shen Neng 1 ran aground on a shoal late Saturday east of the Great … Original article on : Air search spots oil patches near coal carrier aground on Great Barrier Reef off Australia.

Sidney’s Candy leads all the way in winning Santa Anita Derby; Lookin At Lucky is troubled 3rd

Sidney’s Candy wins drama-filled Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Sidney’s Candy led all the way in winning the Santa Anita Derby. Behind him, drama unfolded for 4-5 favorite Lookin At Lucky, whose troubled third-place finish set off the tempers of jockey Garrett Gomez, trainer Bob Baffert and his wife.
Sidney’s Candy won by 4?? lengths Saturday, …. Original article  : Sidney’s Candy leads all the way in winning Santa Anita Derby; Lookin At Lucky is troubled 3rd.

Sidney’s Candy leads all the way in winning Santa Anita Derby

Sidney’s Candy wins Santa Anita Derby
ARCADIA, Calif. – Sidney’s Candy led all the way in winning the Santa Anita Derby by 4?? lengths Saturday, with 4-5 favorite Lookin At Lucky finishing a troubled third in a ride by jockey Garrett Gomez that trainer Bob Baffert called “horrendous.”

After bobbling at the start, Joe Talamo took Sidney’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sidney’s Candy leads all the way in winning Santa Anita Derby.

NASA clears space shuttle Discovery for Monday morning launch; good flying weather forecast

NASA clears Discovery for Monday morning launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has cleared Discovery for a Monday morning launch to the International Space Station, the last scheduled liftoff in darkness for the soon-to-retire shuttle program.
Mission managers met Saturday and gave the “go” to proceed toward liftoff. The unanimous decision came after … Original source on Gaea Times at : NASA clears space shuttle Discovery for Monday morning launch; good flying weather forecast.

NASA spacecraft to photograph Saturn’s moons

LOS ANGELES – NASA has announced its plan to capture closer images of the two moons of Saturn through its spacecraft next week.

The spacecraft Cassini will have a closer look at Saturn’s moons Dione and Titan, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said.
The Titan fly-by, planned for Monday, will take Cassini to within … Read more : NASA spacecraft to photograph Saturn’s moons.

Japanese man makes android version of himself!

WASHINGTON – A roboticist at Japan’s Osaka University has created an android version of himself.

Hiroshi Ishiguro has built many robots, but his latest aren’t run-of-the-mill automatons, with them looking like normal people.
Ishiguro controls his mechanical doppelganger remotely, through his computer, using …. Original article  : Japanese man makes android version of himself!.

Flamingos, microbes found in Andes volcano could tell how life began on Earth

LONDON – Flamingos and mysterious microbes have been found living in an alkaline lagoon nestled inside a volcano in the Andes- a discovery that could tell how life began on Earth.

According to Argentinian investigators, the organisms, exposed to arsenic and poisonous gases, could shed light on how life began on … Read : Flamingos, microbes found in Andes volcano could tell how life began on Earth.

Video of heart before it begins to beat captured

WASHINGTON – A University of Houston professor has captured video of the embryonic heart before it begins beating.

In collaboration with scientists at Baylor College of Medicine, Kirill Larin is documenting the formation of the mammalian heart through a high-resolution, non-invasive imaging device, providing perhaps the best live imagery taken of the … Read more »».

Tomorrow’s bouquets and potted plants would last longer

WASHINGTON – Bouquets and colourful potted plants could last longer in future, thanks to floriculture research by a plant physiologist at Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Cai-Zhong Jiang’s investigations might help boost the vase life of favorite cut flowers and shelf life of prized potted plants.
In current studies, the researchers have shown that …. Read the original article  : Tomorrow’s bouquets and potted plants would last longer.

NASA to host Earth Day tweet up

WASHINGTON – NASA is all set to host its first Earth Day Tweetup on the National Mall in Washington with @NASA Twitter followers and NASA scientists on April 18.

The event will be part of a weeklong series of exhibits and activities on the National Mall marking the 40th …. Original article  : NASA to host Earth Day tweet up.