Handling cash ‘brings pain relief’

WASHINGTON – Forget aspirin, hard cash can ease your aches and pains, that’s the conclusion of a new study.

In a series of tests, boffins found that participants who counted money felt less pain when their hands were dipped into scalding water. The soothing power of cash also helped them shrug off …. Original article  : Handling cash ‘brings pain relief’.

Boffins explore origins of “supervolcanoes”

WASHINGTON – Scientists have drilled into a large, 145 million-year-old volcanic mountain chain lying underwater off the coast of Japan to explore the origins of “supervolcanoes” who have been blamed for multiple mass extinctions in Earth’s history.

New data collected during a recent Integrated … Read : Boffins explore origins of “supervolcanoes”.

Scientists call for world social health insurance

LONDON – Scientists of the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp have urged that there’s a need of a social security fund on a global scale.

In a Viewpoint in the leading medical journal The Lancet, the boffins say such a ‘Global Fund for Health’ … Read more >>>.

Now, mobile phones that protect against deadly chemicals

WASHINGTON – A group of scientists has come up with new functions on cell phones that could protect us from toxic chemicals.

Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S and T)’s Cell-All aims to equip cell phones with a sensor capable of detecting … Read more : Now, mobile phones that protect against deadly chemicals.

Wireless nano sensors may save bridges, buildings

WASHINGTON – Inexpensive wireless sensors based on nanotechnology can be used to alert engineers to problematic cracks and damage to buildings, bridges, and other structures before they become critical, a feasibility study has suggested.

The study has been published in the International …. Original source  : Wireless nano sensors may save bridges, buildings.

Megaliths similar to Stonehenge found in UK

Washington, April 10(ANI): Nine new megaliths discovered in a remote part of Dartmoor, England, bears strong similarities with the famous Stonehenge.

Experts are of the opinion that the megaliths, which were recently carbon-dated to around 3500 B.C., could predate Stonehenge.
However, the stones at both sites seem to be aligned to mark the rising of the midsummer … Read more : Megaliths similar to Stonehenge found in UK.

In the brain, empathy and violence have similar circuits

WASHINGTON – Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, concludes a new study.
“Just as our species could be considered the most violent, since we are capable of serial killings, genocide and other atrocities, we are also the most empathetic species, which would seem to be the other side of the coin”, Luis Moya … Read : In the brain, empathy and violence have similar circuits.

Simple test detects signs of suicidal thoughts in people on antidepressants

WASHINGTON – UCLA researchers have developed a non-invasive biomarker, or indicator, that can detect signs of suicidal thoughts in people taking antidepressants.

Antidepressant medications have proven to be beneficial in helping people overcome major depression, however, it has long been known that a small subset of individuals taking these drugs can actually experience a worsening of [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Stress makes old people cranky’

London, Apr 10 (ANI): Elderly humans’ brains react differently to chronic stress – a finding which may explain why older adults are always in a bad mood, according to a new study.

Elderly humans are more vulnerable to stress than their youthful counterparts. “There is more low-level anxiety and depression,” says Nancy Pachana of the University … Read : ‘Stress makes old people cranky’.

Ancient lost city in Mexico discovered

WASHINGTON – Ruins of an ancient urban center in the heart of the Puripecha Empire in Lake Patzcuaro Basin, located in the central Mexican state of Michoacan, have been discovered by a Colorado State University archaeologist and his team.

At … Original article on : Ancient lost city in Mexico discovered.

World needs a “barometer of natural life”, say scientists

LONDON – A group of well-known scientists has warned that the world needs a “barometer of life” for the prevention of ecosystems and species being lost forever.

In the journal Science, the boffins said that the existing schemes … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : World needs a “barometer of natural life”, say scientists.

Alaska Legislature rejects appointment for Board of Game

Legislature rejects game board pick
JUNEAU, Alaska – The Alaska Legislature has rejected the appointment to the state Board of Game of a man seen in an Internet video skinning a wolf and citing the Bible to explain man’s dominion over animals.

Gov. Sean Parnell in February appointed 44-year-old Al Barrette to the seven-member board that regulates … Read more »»».

Thousands of devout Jews enter Palestinian village in nighttime pilgrimage to disputed tombs

Thousands of Jews visit disputed West Bank tombs

KIFL HARES, West Bank – Thousands of devout Jews descended on a Palestinian village Friday in a rare pilgrimage to three disputed tombs, praying and dancing at a site they claim holds the remains of biblical ancestors.
The visit, made under the guard of soldiers enforcing a curfew on … Read more : Thousands of devout Jews enter Palestinian village in nighttime pilgrimage to disputed tombs.

Countries launch new round of climate talks, disagree on future course after Copenhagen

Post-Copenhagen climate talks begin amid discord
BONN, Germany – The United States gave a spirited defense Friday of the threadbare agreement reached in Copenhagen against a barrage of criticism that the deal was struck by “a select few” that cast doubt on its legitimacy.
Differences were striking as countries began the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Countries differ on how to continue climate talks after disappointing Copenhagen summit

Climate talks
BONN, Germany – Differences have emerged at the outset of the first U.N. climate conference since the disappointing Copenhagen climate summit, as delegates from 175 countries begin afresh on a new global warming agreement.
The delegates hope to have the main elements of a deal in place by the end of this year.
But … Read more »».

Young humpback whale that had been stranded 3 days on NY beach is euthanized

Young whale stranded at NY beach euthanized

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. – A young whale stranded for three days at a New York beach has been euthanized.
The president of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation said Friday that the whale died overnight. Charles Bowman says a necropsy will be done in an effort to determine …. Source article  : Young humpback whale that had been stranded 3 days on NY beach is euthanized.

New system tells how hazardous are air pollutants

WASHINGTON – Fraunhofer scientists are set to present a new test system that can reveal the extent to which air pollutants are hazardous.

The researchers will make the presentation at this year’s BIO Convention in Chicago from May 3-6.
Through this system, it will be possible for the first time …. Source article  : New system tells how hazardous are air pollutants.

Facebook eyes Chinese market

NEW DELHI – Social networking website Facebook is planning to enter China’s web market.
According to Sina.com, Larry Yu, spokesman for Facebook said that Palo Alto based social networking website is “interested in China, just as we are many other countries, and while we …. Original article  : Facebook eyes Chinese market.

‘Robocop’ suit created

LONDON – A power-assisted suit which could make users as strong as Robocop or Iron Man has been created by Japanese scientists.

The power-enhancing suit boasts eight electric motors that amplify the strength of the wearer’s arms and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Robocop’ suit created.

Wild fox kills 15 flamingoes in overnight raid at Helsinki Zoo

Wild fox kills 15 flamingoes at Helsinki Zoo

HELSINKI – An ambitious fox swapped the hen house for a flamingo coop when it sneaked into a menagerie and killed 15 pink flamingoes at Helsinki Zoo, its director Jukka Salo said Friday.
Salo said the fox wandered across the frozen sea to reach the island zoo, near the …. Original article  : Wild fox kills 15 flamingoes in overnight raid at Helsinki Zoo.