Just like humans, apes suffer from self-doubt too

LONDON – Just like humans, apes are sufficiently self-aware to doubt their own knowledge, says a new study.

As part of the research, Josep Call of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, put food in one of two opaque plastic pipes …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rain threatens to delay shuttle Discovery’s return from space station after 2-week flight

Rain threatens to delay space shuttle’s return

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery and its crew may end up getting some extra time in orbit.
Rain at the Florida landing site is threatening to delay Discovery’s homecoming. Landing is scheduled for 8:48 a.m. Monday.
Long before dawn, Mission Control informed shuttle commander Alan Poindexter that the weather … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rain threatens to delay shuttle Discovery’s return from space station after 2-week flight.

Molecular switch helps cell instantly recognise sex partner

TORONTO – A molecular switch, triggered by a signal, helps an organism instantly recognise a healthy and potential sex mate.

“This mating decision is controlled by a simple chemical switch that converts an incoming pheromone signal into a cellular response,” says study author Stephen Michnick, University of Montreal biochemistry professor.
“As pheromone signal increases, two enzymes …. Source article  : Molecular switch helps cell instantly recognise sex partner.

Iceland volcano ash unlikely to cool planet, says Australian climatologist

MELBOURNE – An Australian climatologist has said that the volcanic ash cloud that exploded from an Icelandic volcano is unlikely to have an impact on global temperatures.

The volcano, which is located under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, had erupted on April 15, producing a 10-kilometre high plume of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Iceland volcano ash unlikely to cool planet, says Australian climatologist.

Remains unearthed in Southwell ‘could be Roman temple’

LONDON – Archaeologists have unearthed what they say could be the remains of an unknown Roman temple in Nottinghamshire.

Walls, ditches and ornate stones were revealed after excavations on the Minster C of E School site in Southwell between September 2008 and …. Source article  : Remains unearthed in Southwell ‘could be Roman temple’.

Mich. woman among winners of $150,000 prize for efforts to protect environment from megafarms

Michigan farmer honored for guarding environment

DETROIT – Lynn Henning’s southern Michigan farm is within 10 miles of a dozen large livestock farms, and for years she’s gathered water samples and used aerial photography to help hold them accountable to environmental laws.
With the growth of factory farming over the past decade around the small, rural communities … Read more »»».

List of recipients of the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize, an award for grass-roots activism

Recipients of the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize

Here is a list of recipients of the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize announced Monday by the Goldman Environmental Foundation in San Francisco. Each winner gets $150,000.
AFRICA: Thuli Brilliance Makama, of Swaziland. An environmental attorney, she won a three-year legal battle that reinforced the public’s right to participate in environmental …. Source  : List of recipients of the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize, an award for grass-roots activism.

Worm study reveals how brain performs under stress

LONDON – Using a worm for their experiments, scientists discovered how one can perform complex tasks, even under stress-by activating latent neuronal circuits.

Roger Pocock, a newly arrived Group Leader at the research centre BRIC, University of Copenhagen, has claimed that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mechanism for mate selection revealed

LONDON – Solving the mystery about the mechanism behind sexual mate selection, scientists at Universite de Montreal have discovered a molecular switch that becomes activated in response to a potential mate’s signal.

This means that an organism …. Original article  : Mechanism for mate selection revealed.

After scorching Sunday, thundershowers likely in Delhi

NEW DELHI – There may be some respite from the searing heat for Delhiites with the met office predicting a dust storm and thundershowers for Monday.

“The minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius. There will be a partly cloudy sky in the day and we also expect a dust storm and thundershowers later … Original source on Gaea Times at : After scorching Sunday, thundershowers likely in Delhi.

Soaring heat dries up ponds, waterfalls in Jharkhand

RANCHI – The soaring mercury and accompanying heat wave in Jharkhand is drying up the water sources, including waterfalls, in many parts of the state. Not only humans but animals too are withering under the sun’s intense heat.

The mercury touched 47 degrees Celsius in Deoghar and Palamau districts, while in Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Soaring heat dries up ponds, waterfalls in Jharkhand.

Behavioural rewards may mimic effects of medication for ADHD

WASHINGTON – With medication and behavioural interventions, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could better maintain attention and self-control by normalising activity in the same brain systems, according to a study.
esearchers from the University of Nottingham have shown that medication …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Dust, vanishing greenery threaten Taj

AGRA – The Taj Mahal and other heritage monuments in and around Agra are facing a major threat from dust-laden air. Unabated construction is making the city’s green cover disappear and drying up water bodies, adding to the dust levels.

“The collision (of the dust with the marble) results in micro-scratches that retain moisture which attracts …. Source article  : Dust, vanishing greenery threaten Taj.

Pristine Delaware River watershed and water for 15M people are at issue in gas drilling clash

Gas drilling debate rages in Del. River watershed

PLEASANT MOUNT, Pa. – A few hundred yards from Louis Matoushek’s farmhouse is a well that could soon produce not only natural gas, but a drilling boom in the wild and scenic Delaware River watershed.
Energy companies have leased thousands of acres of land in Pennsylvania’s unspoiled northeastern tip, [..] Read the original article: here.

Whales and sharks and lobsters, oh my. But in the oceans little things can be giant, too

Counting sea life, sometimes little things are big

WASHINGTON – If the Census Bureau thinks it has its hands full counting Americans, imagine what scientists are up against in trying to tally every living thing in the ocean, including microbes so small they seem invisible.
And just try to get them to mail back a form.
The worldwide …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Eco-villas can save 70 percent power in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, April 18 (IANS/WAM) Buildings constructed with environment-friendly Precast Aerated Concrete (PAC) can save up to 70 percent of electricity consumption in Abu Dhabi, a construction company has claimed.

PAC has more than ten times thermal insulation than conventional concrete of equal thickness. With the use of PAC technology, electricity consumption can be reduced by … Original article on : Eco-villas can save 70 percent power in Abu Dhabi.

Delhi suffers another hot day

NEW DELHI – Delhi suffered another hot day Sunday with the maximum temperature at 43.0 degrees Celsius, the weatherman said.

“The maximum temperature today (Sunday) is 43.0 degrees Celsius which is 0.7 degrees lower than yesterday’s (Saturday) maximum temperature,” an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official told IANS.
According to IMD officials, heat wave conditions are expected …. Read the original article  : Delhi suffers another hot day.

NASA tells astronauts to expect rain delays for Monday morning’s landing back on Earth

NASA to astronauts: Rain delays likely for return
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA warned space shuttle Discovery’s astronauts Sunday to expect rain delays as they wrapped up their two-week mission and got ready to come home.
Discovery and its crew of seven were scheduled to land Monday morning at NASA’s Florida spaceport.
Shuttle …. Read the original article  : NASA tells astronauts to expect rain delays for Monday morning’s landing back on Earth.

Cobra hood mechanism discovered

LONDON – The mechanism behind the menacing ‘hood flare’ which cobras use as a defensive display has been discovered by scientists.

By measuring the electrical activity from the snakes’ muscles, researchers discovered the precise group of muscles cobras use to raise their …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cobra hood mechanism discovered.

GSLV mission: Scientists say cryogenic engine had ignited

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – A team of Indian space scientists has established that the indigenously built cryogenic engine had ignited for a second during the failed GSLV mission Thursday.

“This took place for a second and then the fuel supply to power turbo got blocked. The (Indian Space Research Organisation) chairman and we knew this on Thursday but …. Original article  : GSLV mission: Scientists say cryogenic engine had ignited.