On Earth day, city of Taj spreads threat-awareness

AGRA – Hundreds of students holding placards and banners marched through the streets in the trans-Yamuna area here Thursday to spread awareness about the threats posed to planet earth by “man’s uncontrollable greed” and rampant exploitation of resources.

On the occasion of Earth Day, the students, led by environmental activist Ram Avtar Sharma, raised slogans to … Read : On Earth day, city of Taj spreads threat-awareness.

Vitiligo sufferers ‘may have natural skin cancer protection’

LONDON – People suffering from skin disease vitiligo may have natural resistance against skin cancer, according to a new study.

Vitiligo is a condition that leads to pale skin patches that lack pigment and burn easily – leading to an assumed increased risk of skin … Read more : Vitiligo sufferers ‘may have natural skin cancer protection’.

Holding babies helps male monkeys make friends

WASHINGTON – Male Barbary macaques have a better chance of bonding with each other when at least one is hauling around an infant, a new research has found.

The study is among the first to show that infants likely serve as social tools for at least some primates.
Like a human …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Holding babies helps male monkeys make friends.

After rains, Kashmir Valley can expect sunshine

SRINAGAR – After being lashed by incessant rains for some days, raising water levels in rivers and lakes, the Kashmir Valley can expect pleasant sunshine in the coming days, the weatherman said Thursday.

“Weather will continue to improve from today (Thursday). There would be no rain or snow in the plains during the next two …. Source article  : After rains, Kashmir Valley can expect sunshine.

Delhi celebrates Earth Day in varied hues (April 22 is Earth Day)

NEW DELHI – From taking a pledge to save water to taking part in a fun-filled event of creating something out of waste, the Indian capital Thursday celebrated Earth Day with great fervour.

Keeping in tune with the green games the upcoming Commonwealth Games promises to be, the Organising Committee put together a ‘Waste to Craft’ … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Delhi celebrates Earth Day in varied hues (April 22 is Earth Day).

Body lice originated around 190,000 years ago

WASHINGTON – In a genetic analysis of head and body lice, researchers have concluded that body lice first came on the scene approximately 190,000 years ago.

This indicated that people might have begun making and wearing clothing around this period itself.
The new estimate, sheds light on a poorly understood …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Spitzer telescope finds distant planet that lacks methane

WASHINGTON – Using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, scientists have made a rather strange finding about a distant planet- it lacks methane, an ingredient common to many of the planets in our solar system.

The discovery brings astronomers one-step closer to probing the atmospheres of distant …. Original source  : Spitzer telescope finds distant planet that lacks methane.

Why statins work for some people, but not for all

WASHINGTON – Scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have found why statins- popular drugs that lower cholesterol and appear to protect against colorectal cancer development- work for some people, but not for all.

Based on their study, the researchers said that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Why statins work for some people, but not for all.

Suicidal parents make for suicidal kids

WASHINGTON – Children who lose a parent to suicide are more likely to die the same way, a new study has found.

The study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center also showed that losing a parent to suicide increases kids’ risk of … Read more »».

Martial arts training beneficial for elderly people

WASHINGTON – Scientists have suggested that training older people in martial arts could cut their chances of suffering broken bones or fractures when they fall.

Teaching the elderly how to fall properly to minimize damage could yield significant benefits, they believe.
The training could be particularly useful to …. Source article  : Martial arts training beneficial for elderly people.

Age dramatically delays taste buds’ recovery

WASHINGTON – Medical College of Georgia researchers have discovered that age dramatically delays the time it takes to recover the sense of taste following a significant nerve injury.

In the study, Dr. Lynnette McCluskey, neuroscientist in the MCG Schools of Graduate Studies and …. Read the original article  : Age dramatically delays taste buds’ recovery.

New breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene identified

LONDON – Scientists have identified a new gene that increases risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

The new discovery was made by the research group of Prof. Alfons Meindl (Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technische Universitaet Muenchen), in collaboration with other groups from Germany, the U.K., and the …. Source article  : New breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene identified.

All Haryana water bodies to be full this summer

CHANDIGARH – The Haryana government has directed irrigation officials to fill up ponds and other water bodies in the state on a priority basis to avoid problems in the sweltering summer.

“We have directed the officials concerned that water bodies in the state should be filled up on a priority basis. Regular monitoring will be done …. Read the original article  : All Haryana water bodies to be full this summer.

Finally a law to tackle mounting e-waste in India

NEW DELHI – India is finally set to have a law which can tackle head on the mounting problem of electronic waste dumped in the country.

“The provisions of the new law could be such as could effectively monitor the trade in electronic waste and reduce illegal imports,” Ravi Agarwal, director of Toxics Link, said in …. Original source  : Finally a law to tackle mounting e-waste in India.

Japan dolphin-hunt film director says military base ban, harassment can’t silence message

‘Cove’ director defiant of base ban, harassment

TOKYO – The director of “The Cove” said Thursday that a decision by a U.S. military base in Japan to ban the Oscar-winning film on dolphin killings and protests at the local distributor’s office won’t silence the film’s message on saving dolphins.
“The Cove” documents the bloody bludgeoning of dolphins …. Read the original article  : here.

Fish oil supplements ‘don’t boost brain power’

WASHINGTON – Fish oil supplements offer no benefits for cognitive function in older people, according to a new study.

The OPAL study investigated the effects of taking omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements over a two-year period on the cognitive function of participants aged … Read more : Fish oil supplements ‘don’t boost brain power’.

Sperm gang up with kin to gain Lance Armstrong-style speed in pursuit of egg

WASHINGTON – In mouse, sperm tend to gang up with their closest kin to get an edge in the race for the egg, according to a new study.

Once inside a female, sperm cells can discern and-via structures on their heads-literally hook up with … Read more »»».

Google disregarding privacy, say officials from 10 nations

LONDON – Google has violated the principle that “individuals should be able to control the use of their personal information”, say officials from 10 major nations. They have demanded to know how the internet giant will meet concerns about its use of public data in future.

Britain’s Information Commissioner Christopher Graham along with officials from Canada, … Read more >>.

Dust haze engulfs capital, temperature soars

NEW DELHI – The national capital Thursday woke up to a dust haze and an uncomfortably high minimum temperature that settled a good five notches above average for this time of the year.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature recorded early Thursday was 27.4 degrees Celsius. Though lower than Wednesday’s minimum of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dust haze engulfs capital, temperature soars.

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2010: Details

San Francisco (GaeaTimes.com) The Lyrid Meteor Shower 2010 has started and today April 22 is going to be the peak date of that shower. The Lyrid Meteor Shower started from about April 16 and is expected to last till April 25th. But near the beginning and the end dates only a few meteors can …. Source article  : Lyrid Meteor Shower 2010: Details.