Scientists to survey huge volcanic flank collapse deposits

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists led by Dr Peter Talling of the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC), currently aboard the Royal Research Ship James Cook, has set sail to map extremely large landslide deposits offshore from an active volcano on Montserrat in …. Source  : Scientists to survey huge volcanic flank collapse deposits.

Giant airship can carry 1,000 pounds of payloads up to 20,000-ft above Earth

WASHINGTON – A 235-foot prototype Bullet Airship, called The Bullet 580, can carry 1,000 pounds of payloads up to 20,000 feet above Earth.

The inflatable airship, which has a helium-filled tanker and an inner hull filled with ambient air, can fly heavy instruments to high altitudes and remote … Original source on Gaea Times at : Giant airship can carry 1,000 pounds of payloads up to 20,000-ft above Earth.

Bonobo chimps like humans may be hardwired to shake their heads to say ‘no’

LONDON – Anthropologists have recently filmed Bonobo chimps shaking their heads from side to side to ’say no’.

This finding may be indicative of the behaviour of humans as primates.

“In bonobos, our observations are the first reported use of preventive head-shaking,” BBC News quoted …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bonobo chimps like humans may be hardwired to shake their heads to say ‘no’.

Platypus could help beat superbugs, battle climate change

MELBOURNE – The platypus – a semi-aquatic mammal – could help beat superbugs and fight climate change.

In a first, researchers at Victoria’s Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have isolated, synthesised and tested a number of platypus proteins called antimicrobials.

These substances, similar to antiseptics that kill … Read more »»».

Forest field staff threaten to boycott tiger census

BHUBANESWAR – Around 10,000 forest field staff in Orissa have threatened to boycott the tiger census starting Saturday to press their demand for more security in view of threats from Maoists and forest mafia.

J.B. Patnaik, general secretary of Orissa Non-gazetted Forest Service Association, said they will join the operation only after the government fulfils their …. Original article  : Forest field staff threaten to boycott tiger census.

Facebook security flaw revealed

LONDON – Social networking site Facebook temporarily disabled its chat system after a serious security flaw was revealed which allowed people to view chats and pending friend requests of their Facebook friends.

The security flaw, discovered Wednesday by technology website TechCrunch, related to a feature on Facebook that allows users to preview their own privacy …. Source  : Facebook security flaw revealed.

Facebook fixes security flaw that exposes personal chats

LONDON – Social networking site Facebook has made haste to fix a security flaw that allowed its users to view the live chats of their friends and also see their pending friend requests.

All one needed to do to spy on their friends’ … Read : Facebook fixes security flaw that exposes personal chats.

Why some people with HIV develop AIDS and others don’t

LONDON – Scientists are a step closer to understanding why some people with HIV develop full-blown AIDS, and others don’t.

Researchers in Massachusetts and California say that the answer lies in how the immune cells that recognize invaders are educated a finding …. Source article  : Why some people with HIV develop AIDS and others don’t.

Brain may use clot-busting drug naturally to offer protection against stroke

WASHINGTON – The clot-busting stroke drug tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) can act as a neuroprotectant and may form the keystone of an adaptive response to a reduction in blood flow, say scientists from Emory University School of Medicine.

In a new study, the boffins have shown … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brain may use clot-busting drug naturally to offer protection against stroke.

New detection technology identifies bacteria, viruses within 24 hours

WASHINGTON – A Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) detection technology could help law enforcement authorities seeking to detect bioterrorism attacks, doctors diagnosing diseases and regulatory agencies checking product safety, claim creators.

The advance, known as the Lawrence Livermore Microbial … Read more »»».

Everolimus-eluting stent safer, more effective than paclitaxel-eluting stent

LONDON – Everolimus-eluting stents demonstrate enhanced safety and efficacy in the treatment of de novo native coronary artery lesions when compared to paclitaxel-eluting stents, scientists have discovered.

Results from the SPIRIT IV clinical trial, which were first presented at …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Earth’s twisted heart ‘dictates’ day’s length

LONDON – Fluctuations at Earth’s core decide the length of the day, according to scientists.

To come up with the finding, Nicolas Gillet of the University of Joseph Fourier in Grenoble, France, and colleagues, modelled fluid behaviour in the Earth’s core based on measurements … Original article on : Earth’s twisted heart ‘dictates’ day’s length.

House takes up $6 billion bill to pay homeowners for energy-efficiency improvements

House takes up homeowner energy efficiency bill

WASHINGTON – People who install new windows, heaters, refrigerators and other energy-efficient technology in their homes would be eligible for thousands of dollars in federal rebates under legislation the House is taking up.
The two-year, $6 billion program is being referred to as Cash for Caulkers, following on the popular …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sediment layers may help shed light on Mars’ climate history

WASHINGTON – A new stratigraphic record of Martian polar layered deposits could help provide new insights into Mars’ climate history, believe scientists.

Stratigraphic layers can give scientists important clues about the conditions at the time the layer of rock formed.

Fishbaugh et al. present the first high-resolution stratigraphic column of Marian north polar layered deposits.

In …. Original article  : Sediment layers may help shed light on Mars’ climate history.

Halley’s Comet Remnants Make Reappearance

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- It was way back in 1986 that people saw Halley’s Comet passing through the solar system. However, today the star gazers can see the remnants of the comet trail in the sky courtesy the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. The much anticipated meteor shower is said to peak around Thursday morning. If … Read more »»».

I’ve been to a spaceship where I met aliens: Russian politician

LONDON – A Russian politician has made the startling claim that he was taken on a spaceship where he met aliens who wore yellow spacesuits.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the leader of the country’s southern region of Kalymkia, has spoken about his having met aliens at a primetime television show.
He said he was taken on a …. Original article  : I’ve been to a spaceship where I met aliens: Russian politician.

Hot and humid weather makes Delhi fret

NEW DELHI – Delhi woke up to a hot and humid morning Thursday. The weather office has, however, forecast thunderstorm later in the evening.

The minimum temperature recorded early in the day was three degrees above the average, at 28.4 degrees Celsius. The maximum is expected to hover around 42 degrees Celsius.
Humidity level was … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hot and humid weather makes Delhi fret.

Russia to encourage patriotism through computer game

Moscow, May 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian government is working on a project to produce computer games aimed at boosting patriotism among young people.

The communication ministry and a leading software firm 1C have presented a project concerning six flight simulator games that they say are helping to improve Russia’s international hi-tech image and increase patriotism …. Read the original article  : Russia to encourage patriotism through computer game.

India among the worst 10 climate polluters: Study

MELBOURNE – India figures among the world’s worst 10 countries causing environmental damage, according to a new study which lists Brazil as the most polluting country.

The research led by professor Corey Bradshaw, of the University of Adelaide’s environment institute, has placed India at seventh position while ranking the US and China as the largest carbon … Read : India among the worst 10 climate polluters: Study.

US carbon-dioxide emissions dropped 7 percent in 2009

WASHINGTON – US emissions of carbon dioxide tumbled seven percent in 2009, government figures have showed, marking the largest one-year decline in the heat-trapping gas blamed for global warming since records began in 1949.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Wednesday attributed the sharp fall to a drop in energy use as the United States battled through … Original article on : US carbon-dioxide emissions dropped 7 percent in 2009.