States asked to phase out tourism from tiger habitats

NEW DELHI – The central government has sent advisories to states asking them to phase out tourism in and around tiger reserves, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday.

“Advisories have been issued to tiger range states for regulating tourist visitation in tiger reserves. Further, guidelines have also been issued to phase out tourism activities from the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : States asked to phase out tourism from tiger habitats.

Global temperatures make March the warmest on record

WASHINGTON – The world’s combined land and ocean surface temperature made last month the warmest March on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Indian capital New Delhi also had its second warmest March since records began in 1901, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Taken separately, average ocean temperatures were the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Global temperatures make March the warmest on record.

Faster smart sensors in the offing

WASHINGTON – An Indian researcher with the North Carolina State University (NCSU) has developed new “smart sensors” to allow for faster response times as in military and security situations a split second can make the difference between life and death.

Equally important is new research from NCSU that will help ensure those sensors will operate under … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Faster smart sensors in the offing.

30-million-years-old worms munched on whale bones

WASHINGTON – Palaeontologists have discovered the first fossil boreholes of the worm Osedax that consumes whale bones on the deep-sea floor.

The international team of scientists led by the paleontologist Steffen Kiel at the University of Kiel, Germany, concludes that ‘boneworms’ are at least 30 million years …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Galaxy merger dilemma solved

WASHINGTON – A long-standing dilemma about the mass of infrared bright merging galaxies has finally been solved by scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

Dr. Barry Rothberg along with Dr. Jacqueline Fischer used new data from the 8-meter Gemini-South telescope in Chile along with earlier results from … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Galaxy merger dilemma solved.

Coming soon: System that warns driver of an impending accident

WASHINGTON – Scientists are working to develop a system that can warn a driver of an impending accident.

With just a half second’s notice, a driver can swerve to avoid a fatal accident or slam on the brakes to miss hitting a child running after a ball. However first, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Coming soon: System that warns driver of an impending accident.

Source of ‘noise’ in HIV identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists in the U.S. have discovered a molecular mechanism that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seems to utilize for generating random fluctuations called ‘noise’ in its gene expression.

The research has identified the likely source of HIV gene-expression …. Original source  : Source of ‘noise’ in HIV identified.

Decreased breast density over time means decreased breast cancer risk

WASHINGTON – A decrease in breast density, depicted via the proportion of fibroglandular tissue on the mammogram image, over time indicates a decreased risk of breast cancer, according to a study.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic campus in Minnesota found a 28 percent reduced …. Original source  : Decreased breast density over time means decreased breast cancer risk.

Scientists stumble on fossils of whale bone-eating worms

LONDON – Scientists have stumbled on the first fossil boreholes of the worm Osedax that consumes whale bones on the ocean floor.

A team led by Steffen Kiel of Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel in Germany has concluded that “boneworms” are at least 30 million-years-old.
Six years ago Osedax was first described based on specimens …. Source  : Scientists stumble on fossils of whale bone-eating worms.

Fresh snow, rains in Himachal bring cheer

SHIMLA – Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh have ended weeks of dry spell, pushing mercury down by several notches across the hill state.

“The high hills in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Kullu districts saw mild spell of snow early this (Wednesday) morning. These districts have been experiencing snowfall for the …. Source article  : Fresh snow, rains in Himachal bring cheer.

Incessant rains raise water levels in Kashmir rivers

SRINAGAR – Incessant rainfall for the past three nights has raised the water levels in all major rivers and lakes in the Kashmir Valley while landslides and fresh snowfall have blocked the Srinagar-Leh highway Wednesday.

The water level in Jhelum, running through the middle of the summer capital Srinagar, rose due to heavy nightlong rains in …. Source article  : Incessant rains raise water levels in Kashmir rivers.

Texas researcher having trouble finding effective birth control for 400-pound feral hogs

No success yet with birth control for feral hogs

LUBBOCK, Texas – There’s a saying that when a feral hog has six piglets, only eight are expected to survive.
That’s no joke in Texas, however, where the 400-pound beasts do an estimated $50 million in damage to crops and property each year. Texas has half the nation’s … Read : Texas researcher having trouble finding effective birth control for 400-pound feral hogs.

Facebook’s Lite site closed down just after seven months

LONDON – Social networking site Facebook has shut down its Lite site after running for just seven months.

Facebook posted a note on its own fan page thanking those who used Lite, which had been aimed at users with slow or poor Internet connections, and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Facebook’s Lite site closed down just after seven months.

Crows are innovative problem solvers

LONDON – Kiwi scientists have found that crows may be more innovative than was previously thought.

In the study, researchers from New Zealand’s University of Auckland found that the birds were able to use three tools in succession to reach some food.
For … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Crows are innovative problem solvers.

Brain training games ‘don’t improve IQ’

WASHINGTON – People who use brain-training software to boost their mental skills are likely to be disappointed, for a new study has shown that computerized cognitive training does not make people smarter.

Adrian … Read more >>.

How specific odours alter an organism’s lifespan

WASHINGTON – Specific odours that represent food or indicate danger trigger a small number of highly specialized sensory neurons that can alter an animal’s lifespan and physiological profile, according to researchers at the University of Michigan, University …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How specific odours alter an organism’s lifespan.

Neanderthals might have interbred with modern humans

LONDON – Archaic humans such as Neanderthals interbred with the ancestors of modern humans twice, leaving their genes within the DNA of people today, according to a genetic analysis of nearly 2,000 people from around the world.

The discovery …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Babe in the woods? Rare _ and possibly pregnant _ rhino photographed in Borneo forest

Rare Borneo rhino maybe has baby
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysian conservationists caught on film a Sumatran rhinoceros thought to be pregnant, raising hopes that the critically endangered species on Borneo island was breeding in the wild, an official said Wednesday.

A remotely controlled camera set up in a forest in Sabah state on Borneo captured a …. Original article  : Babe in the woods? Rare _ and possibly pregnant _ rhino photographed in Borneo forest.

Uruguay, Argentina agree to cooperate on river after UN court backs Uruguayan pulp mill

Uruguay, Argentina agree to cooperate on river

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina and Uruguay both professed neighborly affection, if not brotherly love, after a U.N. court delivered a long-awaited ruling that rejects Argentina’s claim that an Uruguayan pulp mill pollutes their shared river.
Both sides said Tuesday’s decision by the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands … Original article on : Uruguay, Argentina agree to cooperate on river after UN court backs Uruguayan pulp mill.

Declare Earth Day meat-free day, PETA tells PM

BHUBANESWAR – Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare Earth Day, on Thursday, a meat-free day to reduce India’s carbon footprint.

The organisation has written to the prime minister urging him to declare the day meat-free not not only this year but for every …. Source  : Gaea News Network.