Beetle inspires water collection in driest desert

SYDNEY – In the barren landscape of Namib desert, water is scarce and the few forms of life that survive are highly adaptable — none more so than the Namib Desert Beetle, an insect that has developed a unique method of harvesting water.

The Namib desert, stretching along the Atlantic coast of south west Africa, is … Read : Beetle inspires water collection in driest desert.

Estrogen may reduce airway constriction in asthmatic women

WASHINGTON – A new Mayo Clinic research suggests that female sex hormones may work with beta-agonists in reducing airway constriction in women patients with asthma.

After puberty, women tend to have worse asthma symptoms and exacerbations than men. Women also experience changes in airway reactivity throughout their menstrual cycle, with pregnancy, and at the onset of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Estrogen may reduce airway constriction in asthmatic women.

Asthma patients should stay away from high-fat meals

WASHINGTON – Asthma patients should keep their hands away from heavy, high-fat meals, suggests a new study.

People with asthma who consumed a high-fat meal showed increased airway inflammation just hours after the binge, according to Australian researchers who conducted the study.

The high fat meal … Read more >>>.

All modern life on Earth originated from common ancestor

WASHINGTON – All life on earth in today’s date must have stemmed from a common ancestor rather than multiple sources, suggests a new statistical analysis.

Scenarios featuring a universal common ancestor won hands down against even the best-performing multi-ancestor models.

The idea that life forms share a common ancestor is “a …. Read the original article  : All modern life on Earth originated from common ancestor.

World’s smallest pump powered by glass electrode created

LONDON – Using an electrode made from glass- a non-conducting material-engineers have created the world’s smallest pump, which is similar in size to a human red blood cell.

Alan Hunt from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his colleagues used a laser to hollow out a bent pipe inside … Read more : World’s smallest pump powered by glass electrode created.

Soon, rocket-assisted pills to help ailing human gut

LONDON – It may soon be possible to fire drugs into the human gut using tiny rocket motors.

Radio-controlled capsules, which help direct drugs to particular sites in the digestive tract to test their effectiveness, are already common.

However, in most cases the drugs do not completely release from the …. Original article  : Soon, rocket-assisted pills to help ailing human gut.

Active lifestyle may help improve COPD patients’ day-to-day function

WASHINGTON – An active lifestyle is crucial for day-to-day function in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patients, says a new study.

Inactivity is known to be associated with a decrease in exercise tolerance, but it was unknown whether the reduced amount of physical activity alone was responsible for the reduction in … Read more >>.

Yet another hot week expected in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites should brace themselves for another hot week with heat wave conditions continuing, the weather office warned Monday.

“There will be no respite from the heat Monday. The heat wave conditions will prevail for the next few days. The level of humidity will be high,” an official of the India Meteorological Department …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

With environmental challenges, what does the next century hold for Glacier National Park?

Glacier Park: The next 100 years
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Mont. – Glacier National Park just marked 100 years as crown jewel of the parks system, but questions dot its spectacular landscape as its next century begins.

Will the park’s 2 million tourists still come when the glaciers are gone? Is the nation willing to spend $200 million … Read : With environmental challenges, what does the next century hold for Glacier National Park?.

UN study: Link between cell phone use and brain cancer inconclusive

Study: Cell phone-brain cancer link inconclusive

GENEVA – Cell phone users worried about getting brain cancer aren’t off the hook yet.
A major international study into the link between cell phone use and two types of brain cancer has proved inconclusive, according to a report due to be published in a medical journal Tuesday.
A 10-year survey of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UN study: Link between cell phone use and brain cancer inconclusive.

Panel says PSF technology meets odor mandate; opponents urge state to stand firm on deadline

Hog giant PSF passes smell test, but clock ticking

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hog processing giant Premium Standard Farms LLC spent $40 million over the last decade developing technology after a court ordered it to sharply reduce odors at its Missouri farms, but a looming deadline is threatening another costly lawsuit.
A panel of experts recently approved … Original source on Gaea Times at : Panel says PSF technology meets odor mandate; opponents urge state to stand firm on deadline.

Hog giant Premium Standard Farms says technology not yet ready as deadline nears to cut smell

Hog giant PSF nearing deadline for reducing smell

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hog processing giant Premium Standard Farms has spent $40 million to develop technology to reduce the smell from its hog farms in Missouri but still hasn’t met a court-imposed deadline for doing so.
If Premium Standard doesn’t implement the technology and fix the problem by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hog giant Premium Standard Farms says technology not yet ready as deadline nears to cut smell.

Israel dedicates huge sea-water purification plant to counter chronic fresh water shortage

Israel dedicates huge sea-water purification plant

HADERA, Israel – A huge new desalination facility on Israel’s Mediterranean seashore, with a network of pipes beneath the beach reaching far into the ocean, could help solve Israel’s chronic fresh water shortage, officials said Sunday.
The plant, one of the largest in the world, turns sea water into drinking water. [..] Read the original article: here.

Major industry-funded study on link between cell phone use and brain cancers is inconclusive

Major study on cell phones and cancer inconclusive

GENEVA – A major international study into the link between cell phone use and two types of brain cancer has proved inconclusive, according to a report in a medical journal due to be published later this week.
The survey of almost 13,000 participants found cell phone use didn’t increase … Read : Major industry-funded study on link between cell phone use and brain cancers is inconclusive.

Atlantis docks for last time at space station

WASHINGTON – The Atlantis shuttle docked Sunday on its last mission to the space station after some tense hours about dodging a piece of orbiting debris.

NASA officials debated through Saturday about whether to reposition the International Space Station (ISS) to avoid a speeding piece of space junk.
But they ultimately decided that updated tracking information …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Atlantis docks for last time at space station.

Atlantis arrives at space station, astronauts may try to fix pinched cable in spacewalk

Shuttle Atlantis arrives at space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Atlantis arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday for what could be its last visit, delivering fresh batteries and other equipment to help keep the outpost running long after the shuttle program ends.

For now, Atlantis’ dance card is empty after this flight, and NASA has … Original source on Gaea Times at : Atlantis arrives at space station, astronauts may try to fix pinched cable in spacewalk.

Huge collection of dead snakes, spiders, scorpions lost in fire at Brazil research institute

Huge Brazil collection of snakes, spiders burned

SAO PAULO – Officials say fire has destroyed what may be the world’s largest scientific collection of dead snakes, spiders and scorpions.
Members of the Instituto Butantan say the collection of nearly 80,000 specimens was the main source for research on thousands of species.
Institute curator Francisco Franco says Saturday’s fire …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Huge collection of dead snakes, spiders, scorpions lost in fire at Brazil research institute.

Shuttle Atlantis closing in for space station docking, astronauts may try to fix pinched cable

Shuttle closing in for space station docking

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis drew closer to the International Space Station for a Sunday morning linkup, as the astronauts – all 12 of them – excitedly awaited the 215-mile-high reunion.
“We’re chasing you down,” shuttle commander Kenneth Ham radioed from several miles out.
“Yee-haw!” replied the space station’s …. Source  : Shuttle Atlantis closing in for space station docking, astronauts may try to fix pinched cable.

Metro upgrades cooling in coaches as Delhi sizzles

NEW DELHI – As the capital experiences scorching summer heat, the Delhi Metro has upgraded the air-conditioning in some trains on its elevated corridors, including the Mundka-Inderlok route, an official said Sunday.

The air-conditioning has already been upgraded in the standard gauge trains introduced on the Mundaka-Inderlok route and new coaches of other trains supplied by … Read more : Metro upgrades cooling in coaches as Delhi sizzles.

Experts decontaminate Delhi’s radiation hotspots

NEW DELHI – A team of experts from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Sunday started the process of decontamination of radiation hotspots in Mayapuri area of west Delhi, officials said.

The team has visited Mayapuri following reports that radiation exposure was still high in the area.
“The team … Original source on Gaea Times at : Experts decontaminate Delhi’s radiation hotspots.