Investing in material possessions makes us less happy

WASHINGTON – People who pursue happiness through material possessions are liked less by their peers than people who pursue happiness through life experiences, a new study says.

Leaf Van Boven, University of Colorado-Boulder (UC-B) psychology professor, spent a decade studying the social costs and benefits of pursuing happiness through the acquisition of life experiences such … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Investing in material possessions makes us less happy.

Cat brain inspires model for superfast bio-computer

WASHINGTON – A cat can recognise a face faster and more efficiently than a supercomputer. That’s one reason a feline brain is the model for a biologically-inspired superfast computer project.

University of Michigan (U-M) computer engineer Wei Lu has taken a step toward developing this revolutionary type of machine that could be capable of learning and …. Read the original article  : Cat brain inspires model for superfast bio-computer.

Robotic hand to allow people to hold hands over internet

LONDON – Specially-designed robotic hands would soon allow friends and family to hold hands over the internet and help them experience the sensation of touch.

It plugs into a computer and communicates with an electronic wristband to allow people talking over the internet to experience the sensation of touch.
Not only can it grip and shake, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Robotic hand to allow people to hold hands over internet.

Lazy label aggravates kids’ problems

SYDNEY – Children labelled as lazy by teachers and parents may have numerous learning difficulties that could underlie their apparent lack of motivation, a new study says.

Linda Gilmore, educational psychologist from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), studied children aged seven to 10 years who were regarded as lazy by their parents and teachers.
They also … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Lazy label aggravates kids’ problems.

NASA decides shuttle crew won’t need to make extra spacewalk to fix valve at space station

NASA: Extra spacewalk to fix valve won’t be needed

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery’s astronaut won’t need to make an extra spacewalk after all.
NASA had been considering a fourth spacewalk to fix a stuck valve at the International Space Station. But Mission Control told the crew early Thursday the repairs could wait.
Discovery remains on … Original source on Gaea Times at : NASA decides shuttle crew won’t need to make extra spacewalk to fix valve at space station.

DNA advancement may halt transmission of inherited diseases

LONDON – It may soon be possible to prevent mitochondrial diseases, caused by mutations in the DNA of mitochondria, the energy-producing structures of the cell, from being passed on from a mother to the offspring.

British researchers have been … Read more »»».

On home turf of his astronaut critics, Obama to make pitch for changes in direction of NASA

Obama: America’s still got adventures in space
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Near the launch pads where U.S. space voyages begin, President Barack Obama will try to reassure workers that America’s space adventures sail on despite the coming end of space shuttle flights.
And Obama on Thursday will also try to explain why he aborted … Read more »».

New gene linked to increased Alzheimer’s risk identified

WASHINGTON – A gene that appears to increase a person’s risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease has been identified by researchers.

The research will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New gene linked to increased Alzheimer’s risk identified.

Scientists identify new gene in hair loss

LONDON – A new gene involved in hair growth has been identified by a team of investigators from Columbia, Rockefeller and Stanford Universities.

The finding has been reported in a paper in the April 15 issue of Nature.
In the study, researchers found that the …. Source  : Scientists identify new gene in hair loss.

Here’s why we believe that better things come to those who wait

WASHINGTON – Our belief in the motto ‘good things come to those who wait’ stems from a brain circuit that tells us to refuse instant gratification, say researchers.

The study by the Department of Systems Neuroscience at the University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, is published in the journal [..] Read the original article: here.

Cat can recognize a face faster than supercomputer

WASHINGTON – A cat can recognize a face faster than a supercomputer. And that’s one of the reasons why a feline brain is the model for a biologically inspired computer project involving the University of Michigan.

U-M computer engineer Wei Lu has taken a step toward …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cat can recognize a face faster than supercomputer.

People value experiences more than material things

WASHINGTON – People value pleasant experiences more than worldly possessions, a new study has found.

According to the new study led by University of Colorado at Boulder psychology Professor Leaf Van Boven, individuals who pursue happiness through material possessions are liked less by their peers than people who pursue happiness through life experiences.
“We have found that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : People value experiences more than material things.

Potential target for treatment of obesity-related diseases identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a specific gene as a potential new target for treating obesity-related diseases.

Two research studies funded by grants from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) examined the role of a gene called STAT4 in the development of Type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related …. Source  : Potential target for treatment of obesity-related diseases identified.

Boffins design new class of drug that kills lymphoma cells

WASHINGTON – A new class of drugs that targets BCL6, a master regulatory protein responsible for causing the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has been designed by researchers from the Sackler Center at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Published in issue of Cancer Cell, the study shows that an experimental compound designed by a team of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Boffins design new class of drug that kills lymphoma cells.

Novel software to help plan astronaut, shift worker schedules

WASHINGTON – A software that uses mathematical models to help astronauts and ground support personnel better adjust to shifting work and sleep schedules has been developed by researchers.

Shifting work schedules, if not planned out properly, can wreak havoc on a person’s ability to get enough sleep, resulting in poor performance on the job.
Now, boffins funded … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Novel software to help plan astronaut, shift worker schedules.

‘Avatar’ director lauds decision to delay bids on huge Amazon dam, but warns fight not over

‘Avatar’ director lauds ruling on Brazilian dam

BRASILIA, Brazil – Director James Cameron is applauding a Brazilian judge’s decision to temporarily halt bidding on a huge hydroelectric dam, yet he warns the fight is not over in what he calls a “real-life Avatar” battle in the Amazon.
A federal judge in Para state on Wednesday delayed the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Avatar’ director lauds decision to delay bids on huge Amazon dam, but warns fight not over.

Mixed race people more successful, hotter

WASHINGTON – Individuals of mixed race are perceived as more attractive than non-mixed race counterparts, according to a new study.

To reach the conclusion, Dr Michael Lewis of Cardiff University’s School of Psychology collected a random sample of 1205 black, white, and mixed-race faces.
Each face was then rated for their perceived attractiveness to others – with …. Read the original article  : Mixed race people more successful, hotter.

Filling fuel for cryogenic engine to start

SRIHARIKOTA – Scientists were Thursday getting ready to launch an Indian-designed and built cryogenic engine to inject an advanced communication satellite into space. The filling of liquid fuel that will power the third stage of the 50-metre tall, 416-tonne Indian rocket to inject the satellite in geo-synchronous orbit is expected to start around 11.30 … Read : Filling fuel for cryogenic engine to start.

Delhi in for another scorching day

NEW DELHI – The national capital woke up to yet another hot day Thursday with the mercury hovering well above the average for this time of the year.

The minimum temperature recorded early Thursday was four degrees above the average, at 23.6 degrees Celsius.
“The maximum temperature today is expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius, … Read more : Delhi in for another scorching day.

Cape Cod wind project’s fate to be decided this month; other offshore projects years away

Decision on Cape Cod wind project due this month
BOSTON – The Obama administration decides this month after a nine-year review whether the nation’s first wind farm should be built off Cape Cod. If it says no, the industry faces another question with no easy answer: “What’s next?”
Not one of the country’s …. Read the original article  : Cape Cod wind project’s fate to be decided this month; other offshore projects years away.