Even silent videos excite the brain

LONDON – If a new study is to be believed, then watching even silent videos can excite the listening brain.

The study, by Kaspar Meyer at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and colleagues, has shown that silent videos that merely imply sound – such as of someone playing a musical instrument – …. Source article  : Even silent videos excite the brain.

Australia’s Victoria sitting on $20 billion-worth of gold?

LONDON – Up to 20 billion-dollar-worth of undiscovered gold could be lying underground in the Australian state of Victoria, say scientists.

In 1851, Victoria experienced its first gold rush – a grain of gold was discovered in a waterhole near Bathurst.

Within two years, the state’s population had doubled to 222,000, one-quarter of whom worked in … Read more : Australia’s Victoria sitting on $20 billion-worth of gold?.

Global climate change talks at a ‘dead end’ because of US, China reluctance: Indian minister

Expect no climate deal this year: Indian minister
BEIJING – The chance of a climate change agreement this year is remote because the United States and China are unwilling to make more commitments during the talks, India’s environment minister said Sunday.
The last U.N. conference on climate change in Copenhagen last December was seen as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Global climate change talks at a ‘dead end’ because of US, China reluctance: Indian minister.

Panna reserve celebrates with three new tiger cubs

BHOPAL – In cheering news for wildlife enthusiasts, a tigress brought to Madhya Pradesh’s Panna National Park last year has given birth to three cubs, officials said Sunday.

The good news comes exactly a year after the reserve was declared without any tigers.
“The state government’s tiger rehabilitation programme in Panna has proved to be a … Read more : Panna reserve celebrates with three new tiger cubs.

New biomaterial that mimics muscle elasticity may aid muscle generation

LONDON – A group of researchers has cast artificial proteins into a new solid biomaterial that very closely mimics the elasticity of muscle.

The approach, detailed in the current issue of the journal Nature, opens new avenues to creating solid biomaterials from smaller engineered proteins, and has potential applications in material sciences and tissue engineering.

Hongbin Li …. Original source  : New biomaterial that mimics muscle elasticity may aid muscle generation.

Girl who doesn’t age may hold key to ageing

LONDON – American scientists are keenly studying the DNA of a 17-year-old girl who still has the body and behaviour of a baby, hoping to gain new insights into the mysteries of ageing.

At 16lb in weight and just 30in tall, Brooke Greenberg is still the size of a one-year-old.

According to a preliminary study of her … Read more : Girl who doesn’t age may hold key to ageing.

Kids as young as six months old can tell good from evil

LONDON – Contrary to the Freudian theory that humans start their lives with a moral ‘blank slate’, children may be born with the ability to tell good from bad, according to a new research.

Newly born babies apparently start making moral judgments by the time they are six …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kids as young as six months old can tell good from evil.

Sensitive persons’ cognitive responses not influenced by culture

WASHINGTON – Highly sensitive individuals have cognitive responses that appear to not be influenced by culture at all, researchers have found.

The finding by Dr. Arthur Aron, Professor of Psychology at Stony Brook University, and colleagues, came after previous brain imaging research that revealed … Original article on : Sensitive persons’ cognitive responses not influenced by culture.

Researcher verifies brain’s master switch

WASHINGTON – A researcher at Iowa State University has verified the protein that has long been suspected by scientists of being the master switch that allows brains to function.

Yeon-Kyun Shin, professor of biochemistry, … Read : Researcher verifies brain’s master switch.

Over 30,000 cats sterilised in Beijing

BEIJING – Over 30,000 stray cats have been sterilised in Beijing, after the rapidly increasing feline population started threatening survival of birds and smaller animals like squirrels.

The government-backed Trap Neuter Return (TNR) project, which was launched in July 2006, has been implemented in more than 100 animal hospitals and clinics, and conducts more than 1,000 …. Original article  : Over 30,000 cats sterilised in Beijing.

Hot, humid day ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites can expect a hot and humid day Sunday with met officials forecasting a rise in the mercury level.

The maximum temperature will hover around 39 degrees Celsius, one notch below the average for this time of the year and the minimum should be around 27 degrees, a weather official said.
The humidity …. Original source  : Hot, humid day ahead in Delhi.

Iran ready to send six satellites into space

TEHRAN – Iran is preparing to launch five to six satellites into the space as part of its aerospace development programme.

“We are currently carrying out a project which will see the design, production and launch of 5 to 6 satellites. We hope to send one satellite into space in the first half of the coming …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

China no longer top source of spam mail

BEIJING – China has come down the rankings of countries that are major sources of global spam mail, a latest report has said.

China, which was ranked second in 2006, now ranks 15th in the world, and the amount of spam mail originating from China is only 1.9 percent of the global spam.
The US tops … Read more : China no longer top source of spam mail.

Alaskans mourn death of Walter Hickel, former governor and Nixon Cabinet member, at age 90

Alaskans mourn death of former Gov. Walter Hickel
SITKA, Alaska – Alaskans on Saturday mourned the loss of former Gov. Walter J. Hickel and remembered him as a visionary and a maverick.
Alaska Democrats, meeting for their convention in Sitka, had a moment of silence in honor of Hickel, who served as Interior secretary under … Read more »»».

Utah Democrats send incumbent US Rep. Jim Matheson to primary against political newcomer

Utah US Rep. Matheson forced into Dem primary
SALT LAKE CITY – U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson has been forced into a Democratic primary next month by Utah party delegates upset that he voted against President Barack Obama’s health care reforms.
Matheson’s rival is a retired school teacher who has never run for public office.
Claudia Wright …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Utah Democrats send incumbent US Rep. Jim Matheson to primary against political newcomer.

Laura Chinchilla sworn in as Costa Rica’s 1st female president, replaces Nobel laureate Arias

Costa Rica inaugurates new President Chinchilla

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Adios, peace prize winner. Hola, first female president.
Costa Rica inaugurated Laura Chinchilla as its first woman leader on Saturday, replacing Nobel laureate Oscar Arias with his former vice president and protege.
Chinchilla promised to rule with “humility, honesty and firmness” and said she’ll pursue the same …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Laura Chinchilla sworn in as Costa Rica’s 1st female president, replaces Nobel laureate Arias.

Denver’s water chief, dead at age 66, praised as a ‘great mind’ on Western water

Denver’s water chief praised as ‘great mind’

DENVER – Denver’s vast and powerful water empire, once seen as a Western bully bent on expansion at any cost, was reeling from defeats and beset by rivals when Hamlet “Chips” Barry took over as manager in 1991.
Barry, who died May 2 just four weeks away from retiring, guided … Original source on Gaea Times at : Denver’s water chief, dead at age 66, praised as a ‘great mind’ on Western water.

Mercury rises in capital

NEW DELHI – Delhi Saturday witnessed a humid day with the mercury hovering around 38 degrees Celsius, the Met Office said.

The maximum temperature settled at 38.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the average, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 23.6 degrees Celsius, one notch below the average for this time of the year. … Read : Mercury rises in capital.

Scientists warn robots with knives could accidentally attack humans

LONDON – Scientists have warned that robots helping around the house could be dangerous, as they could accidentally inflict deadly wounds on humans.

Homes of the future are often depicted as efficient spaces in which robots are programmed to carry out mundane domestic tasks, from cleaning to …. Read the original article  : Scientists warn robots with knives could accidentally attack humans.

Global warming? Family log of 114 years tells all

WASHINGTON – Every day since Jan 1, 1896, an observer has hiked to a spot at the Mohonk Preserve, a resort and nature area, some 145 km north of New York City, to record daily temperature and other conditions.

The weather station is the rarest of the rare: one that has never missed a day of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Global warming? Family log of 114 years tells all.