New discovery may make secret nuclear tests history

LONDON – Covert nuclear tests may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to pure samples of a telltale gas that could help nuke sniffers.

A global network of monitoring stations continually samples the air for signs of underground nuclear tests.
One thing these stations look for is the radioactive gas …. Original article  : New discovery may make secret nuclear tests history.

During economic crisis, mature-looking women look more attractive

WASHINGTON – During tough economic times, mature-looking women appear more attractive.
That is the conclusion of two studies, one of which used American movie actresses, and the other Playboy Playmates of the Year.

The research found that in unsure times beauty icons tend to be slightly more “mature” looking women …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Skin cancer ‘cure’ found

LONDON – A group of researchers has claimed to have found a cure for skin cancer.
A vaccine, which attacks tumour cells, leaving healthy cells undamaged and carries agents that boost the body’s response to skin cancer, is being tested in the UK. And up till now, it has apparently helped some patients fully recover from …. Original article  : Skin cancer ‘cure’ found.

How the brains of introverts 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 manifest itself as inhibitedness, or even neuroticism. The trait can be seen in some children who are “slow to … Original article on : How the brains of introverts process the world around them.

Lightning-like electricity makes mushrooms multiply

WASHINGTON – When exposed to lightning-like electricity, mushrooms start multiplying, according to an ongoing research.

For decades, farmers in Japan have welcomed storms over their fields, as they believe that lightning strikes provoke plentiful harvests of mushrooms, which are staples of Japanese cuisine, reports National Geographic News.
Now, in four-year study, boffins in northern Japan bombarded a … Read : Lightning-like electricity makes mushrooms multiply.

PANDAS are not a big fan of stress

WASHINGTON – Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections, or PANDAS, do not like stress.

The diagnosis, PANDAS, was created when clinicians observed that following streptococcal infections, which include strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo, children developed tics and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
In a new study, which appears in Biological Psychiatry, published by Elsevier, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PANDAS are not a big fan of stress.

Astronauts take 2nd spacewalk to replace space station tank, 40 years after Apollo 13 launch

Astronauts take 2nd spacewalk to replace tank

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts ventured back outside the International Space Station on Sunday, making their second spacewalk in three days to replace an old storage tank.
The 215-mile-high action unfolded on the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13.
Heading out nearly an hour early, Rick Mastracchio and Clayton …. Read the original article  : Astronauts take 2nd spacewalk to replace space station tank, 40 years after Apollo 13 launch.

Rampant academic misconduct hampers China’s efforts to lead global research

Rampant cheating hurts China’s research ambitions

LIUZHOU, China – When professors in China need to author research papers to get promoted, many turn to people like Lu Keqian.
Working on his laptop in a cramped spare bedroom, the former schoolteacher ghostwrites for professors, students, government offices – anyone willing to pay his fee, typically about 300 yuan … Read more »».

LA utility at center of city’s financial meltdown is no stranger to political controversy

LA utility at center of city’s financial meltdown

LOS ANGELES – When the city’s Department of Water and Power spent $50,000 on lactation consultants two years ago to assist breast-feeding employees, the utility said it was a humanitarian move aimed at cutting absenteeism.
Critics, however, saw the move as another over-the-top expenditure of a behemoth bureaucracy that … Read : LA utility at center of city’s financial meltdown is no stranger to political controversy.

Bolivia protests halt of US climate aid after it refused to support Copenhagen accord

Bolivia protests US suspension of climate aid

BONN, Germany – Bolivia has protested the suspension of U.S. climate aid as “a very bad practice,” but says it won’t change its policies on global warming.
Bolivian delegate Pablo Solon confirms that the U.S. reduced aid after it opposed the adoption of the Copenhagen Accord brokered at the U.N. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Metabolic fingerprints offer fresh clues toward personalized treatment

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found further evidence to reaffirm that the way our bodies digest and process nutrients in the food we eat is different for every person.

Nutrition scientists and food chemists at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen have joined forces with outside experts to … Read : Metabolic fingerprints offer fresh clues toward personalized treatment.

Astronauts rest up for spacewalk 2, ‘ready to rock ‘n’ roll’ for manhandling of big tanks

Astronauts ‘ready to rock ‘n’ roll’ on spacewalk 2
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two of the astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle-station complex rested up Saturday for a second spacewalk involving hefty storage tanks, while their colleagues unloaded much smaller supplies.
Spacemen Clayton Anderson and Rick Mastracchio will head back outside early Sunday to …. Original source  : Astronauts rest up for spacewalk 2, ‘ready to rock ‘n’ roll’ for manhandling of big tanks.

Fermented milk has therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis

WASHINGTON – Fermented milk is effective in the therapeutic treatment of chronic gastritis, according to a study.

Gastritis produced by acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA) consumption is a common disorder worldwide.
The use of probiotics has been proposed to ameliorate different gastrointestinal tract diseases such as inflammatory …. Read the original article  : Fermented milk has therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis.

Now a new, better way to detect explosives

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found a new way to detect expolosives- the Optical Dynamic Detection (ODD) solution.

Currently, spectroscopy has been used for the purpose.
“Spectroscopy is good, but it only gets you so far,” said Eric Houser, a program manager in the Explosives Division of …. Source  : Now a new, better way to detect explosives.

Obese kids sleep less

MELBOURNE – Overweight or obese children tend to sleep less, a study has found.
The study claimed “sleep deficit” among school-going kids would hinder their performance at school right through the week.

Professor Tim Olds, who studied the sleep patterns of more than 4000 children from across the country, said poor sleep was known to lead to …. Original source  : Obese kids sleep less.

New high-speed integrated circuit for Large Hedron Collider is fastest of its kind

WASHINGTON – A new high-speed integrated circuit that can reliably transmit data for the world’s largest physics experiment is the fastest of its kind, say experts.

The new “link-on-chip” – or LOC serializer circuit – was designed by physicists at Southern Methodist University in Dallas as a component for use in a key experiment of the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New high-speed integrated circuit for Large Hedron Collider is fastest of its kind.

Archaeologists discover Old Testament-era tablet

WASHINGTON – Archaeologists at University of Toronto have unearthed a cache of cuneiform tablets that contain a largely intact Assyrian treaty from the early 7th century BCE.

The 43 by 28 centimetre tablet – known as the Vassal Treaties of Esarhaddon – contains about 650 lines and is in a very fragile state.
“The tablet is quite … Original article on : Archaeologists discover Old Testament-era tablet.

Facebook ‘ignores users’ panic button demand

LONDON – UK’s top child abuse investigator has revealed that social networking site Facebook is ignoring users’ complaints about paedophile threats.

According to Jim Gamble, head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop), more than 250 Facebook users have this …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Launch of CryoSat-2 ice satellite successful

WASHINGTON – CryoSat-2 ice satellite, Europe’s first mission aimed at studying the Earth’s ice, has been successfully launched from Kazakhstan.

From its polar orbit, CryoSat-2 will send back data leading to new insights into how ice is responding to climate change and the …. Source article  : Launch of CryoSat-2 ice satellite successful.

Peptide to enhance cancer drug effectiveness

WASHINGTON – A peptide helps co-injected drugs to penetrate deep into tumour tissue enhancing cancer drug effectiveness, a new American research has demonstrated.

The peptide (a chain of amino acids) called iRGD has been shown to substantially increase treatment … Read more >>>.