Worms may harbour human limb regeneration secrets

WASHINGTON – Regeneration of old or damaged human organs and tissues may soon be a reality, as scientists have discovered the gene that enables an extraordinary worm to regenerate its own body parts after amputation.

The team of researchers, led …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Extremely preterm kids 3 times as likely to have psychiatric disorder

WASHINGTON – With significant advances in the neonatal intensive care, there has been a 3 times increase in the survival rates of children who are born at less than 26 weeks of gestation-”extremely preterm children”, reveals a study.

However, improved survival rates have been accompanied by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Extremely preterm kids 3 times as likely to have psychiatric disorder.

Decaf coffee, nicotine-free tobacco may offer Parkinson’s protection

LONDON – In a new study, researchers found that coffee and cigarettes could protect the brain of flies with a form of Parkinson’s disease, but the benefit was not because of caffeine and nicotine.

Leo Pallanck, a neuroscientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, whose …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Decaf coffee, nicotine-free tobacco may offer Parkinson’s protection.

Autism effects may be reversible

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have highlighted a mechanism for significant disruption of gene activity in autism that may be reversible.

The research by scientists at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health …. Read the original article  : here.

Hubble celebrates 20 years of launch

WASHINGTON – The starry-eyed Hubble Space Telescope is today celebrating 20 years of awe and discovery – after it was launched on April 24, 1990.

Exactly two decades ago the Space Shuttle and crew of STS-31 were launched to deploy the NASA/ESA’s now famous space …. Source article  : Hubble celebrates 20 years of launch.

How we can sense temperatures

LONDON – A group of experts has shed new light on the molecular mechanism that enables us to sense temperature, such as the heat from a sizzling stove.

The finding by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) could …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How we can sense temperatures.

Highest yielding salt tolerant wheat developed

WASHINGTON – A group of researchers has developed a salt tolerant durum wheat that yields 25 per cent more grain than the parent variety in saline soils.

The breakthrough will enable wheat farmers to achieve higher yields of durum wheat in saline soils. Although durum wheat is less …. Read the original article  : Highest yielding salt tolerant wheat developed.

Boffins develop computational method to uncover gene regulation

WASHINGTON – A new computational model to uncover gene regulation, the key to how our body develops – and how it can go wrong, has been developed by researchers.

The researchers, from The University of Manchester (UK), Aalto University (Finland) and the European …. Original source  : Boffins develop computational method to uncover gene regulation.

Why is Facebook so popular?

WASHINGTON – The popularity of social networking websites like Facebook is based on the phenomenon of social searching where people are keen to get information about a person, group or event.

Facebook.com boasts of more than 350 million users worldwide. With so many people interacting with one another online daily, a Missouri University researcher was interested [..] Read the original article: here.

New method identifies musical notes at any venue

WASHINGTON – University of Jaen (UJA) engineers have developed a new method that detects and identifies the musical notes in an audio file and generate sheet music.he system identifies the notes even when the type of instrument, musician, type of music or recording studio conditions vary.

“We propose … Read : New method identifies musical notes at any venue.

Snowfall over Himalayas may spur drought in India

WASHINGTON – Scientists have helped to explain why heavy snowfall over the Himalayas in winter and spring can lead to drought over India, especially in the early part of the summer monsoon.

As far back as the 1880s scientists have known that increased snow over the Himalayas can be linked with weaker summer monsoon rains …. Source  : Snowfall over Himalayas may spur drought in India.

Respite for Delhi as mercury dips

NEW DELHI – The national capital saw a slight dip in mercury levels Saturday with the minimum temperature at 23.7 degrees Celsius. Weather officials said Delhiites could look forward to a relatively pleasant weekend.

The minimum temperature is two degrees above average and the maximum will be around 38 degrees Celsius, an official of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Respite for Delhi as mercury dips.

Federal judge accepts chemical company’s $103M settlement with EPA for Kalamazoo River cleanup

Judge OKs $103M Kalamazoo River cleanup settlement

A federal bankruptcy judge approved a deal with the government on Friday that requires Lyondell Chemical Co. to pay $103 million toward the cleanup of a polluted 80-mile section of the Kalamazoo River in southwest Michigan. That’s far less than officials had sought.
The settlement is part of a broader …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Federal judge accepts chemical company’s $103M settlement with EPA for Kalamazoo River cleanup.

Natural gas drilling in NYC, Syracuse watersheds now unlikely as NY regulators toughen rules

NY toughens rules on gas drilling in watersheds

ALBANY, N.Y. – New regulations announced Friday for natural gas drilling in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds will create a bureaucratic hurdle that effectively prevents drilling there, defusing concerns about possible drinking-water contamination.
Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said the watersheds will be removed from drilling regulations … Read more : Natural gas drilling in NYC, Syracuse watersheds now unlikely as NY regulators toughen rules.

Companies getting greener, and telling about it

Summary Box: Businesses seeing green
GOING FOR THE GREEN: U.S. companies are increasingly seeing the benefits of getting greener, not just because of consumer interest but to cut their own costs in energy, transportation, waste and other areas.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ENCOURAGED: Many environmental activists see positive trends for corporate America, although they say most big companies still could …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Companies getting greener, and telling about it.

Bolivian president proposes ‘Mother Earth Ministry,’ int’l court to punish emissions violators

Bolivian president creates ‘Mother Earth Ministry’

TIQUIPAYA, Bolivia – Bolivia’s president says he is creating a “Mother Earth Ministry” to promote the planet’s rights and says that he would like to establish an international court with the power to punish nations that fail to obey emissions-reduction agreements.
The court of “climate justice” would be located in Cochabama, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bolivian president proposes ‘Mother Earth Ministry,’ int’l court to punish emissions violators.

Companies tout green innovations in marketing pitches but also see bottom line benefits

‘Green’ becomes more than just a marketing pitch

CINCINNATI – Going green has become good business.
Just look at store shelves: Sales of “green” products, such as organic foods and natural personal care items, have jumped 15 percent since 2006, according to research firm Mintel International.
A wave of promotion is hitting consumers during this week’s 40th anniversary … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Companies tout green innovations in marketing pitches but also see bottom line benefits.

Chinese automakers push to raise global profile at Beijing auto show, debut ‘green’ cars

Chinese automakers push to raise global profile

BEIJING – Chinese automakers announced ambitious plans Friday to expand abroad as global producers unveiled new models at the Beijing auto show aimed at boosting sales in China’s fast-growing market.
The country’s biggest domestic brand, Chery Automobile Co., signaled its global intentions by announcing it signed Argentine football star Lionel …. Source  : Chinese automakers push to raise global profile at Beijing auto show, debut ‘green’ cars.

Iran’s President Ahmadinejad in Africa to build ties with new partners, evade UN sanctions

Iran’s Ahmadinejad seeks new partners in Africa

KAMPALA, Uganda – Iran’s president is in Africa this week to build alliances to evade stronger U.N. sanctions for his country’s nuclear program, ease its international isolation and strengthen its economy.
Both Zimbabwe and Uganda, the two countries President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is visiting, have something to offer.
Iran has been under …. Read the original article  : Iran’s President Ahmadinejad in Africa to build ties with new partners, evade UN sanctions.

Heat wave kills three more in Orissa, toll now 14

BHUBANESWAR – Three more people died of sunstroke in Orissa, taking the toll to 14 in the state, an official said Friday.

“We have confirmed three more deaths due to sunstroke. The deaths occurred in the districts of Jagatsinghpur, Balasore and Bolangir on March 30, April 13 and April 18, but were confirmed by the local …. Source article  : Heat wave kills three more in Orissa, toll now 14.