First genomic collection of human microbes published

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) have released an analysis of 178 genomes from microbes that live in or on the human body, with many newly discovered genes and proteins making it to the list.

The researchers …. Read the original article  : here.

Books at home boost kids’ educational levels

WASHINGTON – A new study has shoawn that parents who have books in the home increase the level of education their children will attain.

The 20-year study was led by Mariah Evans, University of Nevada, Reno associate professor of sociology and resource economics.

For years, educators have thought the strongest …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Books at home boost kids’ educational levels.

World’s most ancient frogs face extinction

WASHINGTON – The New Zealand government’s plans to throw open a conservation area to mining may result in the extinction of the world’s most ancient frogs.

The primitive Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi) and Hochstetter’s frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) are two of the species that inhabit the area … Read this article on Gaea Times at : World’s most ancient frogs face extinction.

New sharkskin paint to lower planes’ fuel costs

WASHINGTON – German scientists have taken inspiration from sharkskin to develop a paint for airplanes and ships that not only lowers fuel costs but also brings down CO2 emissions.

Scientists know that the scales of fast-swimming sharks have evolved in …. Read the original article  : New sharkskin paint to lower planes’ fuel costs.

First drug to demonstrate therapeutic effect in a type of autism identified

WASHINGTON – American researchers have identified a drug that improves communication between nerve cells in a mouse model of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS).

Previous research has shown that a gene mutation in the brain called SHANK3 can cause absent or severely delayed language abilities, … Original source on Gaea Times at : First drug to demonstrate therapeutic effect in a type of autism identified.

New hope for patients at high risk of recurrences of heart disease

WASHINGTON – Canadian researchers have confirmed the potential of a medication to reduce inflammation in patients with atherosclerosis.

The results of the clinical study, directed by Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif of the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), have appeared in the journal Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging.

The promising findings of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Glistening galaxies tend to cluster in busiest parts of universe

WASHINGTON – Glistening galaxies preferentially occupy regions of the universe containing more dark matter, astronomers have found.

Using a super-sensitive camera/spectrometer on the Herschel Space Observatory, astronomers, including a UC Irvine team led by Asantha Cooray, have mapped the skies as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Glistening galaxies tend to cluster in busiest parts of universe.

Pacemaker reuse cost-effective alternative in Third World countries

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that pacemaker reuse may be a safe, effective and ethical alternative to address the medical needs for people in Third World countries who couldn’t otherwise afford therapy.

Researchers examined pacemaker reuse compared with a control population of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Physicists prove Einstein wrong by measuring speed in Brownian particles

WASHINGTON – Even a genius like Einstein could go wrong – physicists have proved that with the observation of instantaneous velocity in Brownian particles.

Mark Raizen, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation Regents Chair and professor of physics at The University of Texas at Austin, said: This … Read more >>.

Now, chocolate bar that keeps wrinkles at bay

LONDON – Good news for chocolate lovers: A new kind of chocolate has been created that apparently slows the ageing process and fights wrinkles.ade by the world’s largest chocolate manufacturer, Acticoa is packed with natural antioxidants, which can protect the skin from damage by harmful free radicals.

Studies …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, chocolate bar that keeps wrinkles at bay.

Atlantis astronauts gear up for 3rd and final spacewalk as space station visit winds down

Astronauts gear up for 3rd and final spacewalk

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Atlantis astronauts have one more big job before leaving the International Space Station.
On Friday morning, two of the crew will venture out on the third and final spacewalk of their mission.
Astronauts Garrett Reisman and Michael Good will finish installing new space station batteries. … Read more »».

Obama plans higher fuel efficiency, emissions standards for years to come

Obama aims for better mileage years into future
WASHINGTON – Looking to a day when cars and trucks use far less gasoline or none at all, President Barack Obama plans to order the government to prepare fuel efficiency standards for many years from now and renew its focus on electric-powered vehicles.
Obama is … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama plans higher fuel efficiency, emissions standards for years to come.

Lowering voice is the secret to seduction

WASHINGTON – Flirtation not just involves preening or coy eye contact, voice too plays a major role in seduction, suggests a new study.

Lowering voice may be means of signaling attraction, Susan Hughes, assistant professor of psychology at Albright College in Reading, Pa, found …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Locke calls on Beijing to give US clean-energy companies greater market access

US presses Beijing on clean-energy market access
BEIJING – Commerce Secretary Gary Locke called on Beijing to give U.S. clean-energy companies greater access to its market to help combat climate change.
Washington is looking to sales of clean-energy technology to China to help fulfill President Barack Obama’s pledge to double exports and create 2 million … Read more : Locke calls on Beijing to give US clean-energy companies greater market access.

First synthetic bacterial genome created

WASHINGTON – In the third meeting of Hastings Center workshop examining moral issues in synthetic biology, the J. Craig Venter Group have announced the creation of the first synthetic bacterial genome.

The Hastings Center has been at …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hubble observes star eating a planet

Washington, May 21 (ANI): A new instrument on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, called the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS), has observed that the hottest known planet in the Milky Way galaxy being eaten by its parent star.

The planet may only have another …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hubble observes star eating a planet.

Feds change rules so farmers can kill non-migrating Canada geese faster, avoid loss of crops

Feds change rules so farmers can kill geese faster

CHARLES CITY, Va. – For a farmer, few things are more frustrating than Canada geese descending like a biblical plague of locusts upon a freshly planted field to feast on soybean or corn shoots.
Grower Dave Black, who farms more than 1,200 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans …. Original article  : Feds change rules so farmers can kill non-migrating Canada geese faster, avoid loss of crops.

Vt. moose, who became cause celebre in battle for life, gets reprieve _ and shot at fatherhood

Targeted for death, Vt. moose gets a reprieve

IRASBURG, Vt. – Pete the Moose munched on apples, bananas and a Snickers candy bar – he won’t eat a Milky Way – blissfully unaware of his near-demise, a fate averted by lawmakers and helped along by thousands of fans online.
Vermont’s favorite animal, who had been ordered last …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vt. moose, who became cause celebre in battle for life, gets reprieve _ and shot at fatherhood.

Turtles use ’super tongue’ to survive underwater

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered that the common musk turtle possesses an extraordinary organ that allows it to breathe underwater and stay submerged for many months – a tiny tongue lined with specialised buds.

Rather than using the tongue for eating, the turtle use it to …. Source  : Turtles use ’super tongue’ to survive underwater.

Google launches ’smart’ TV

LONDON – Google has launched ’smart’ TV, a service that integrates Internet and television.

The company has collaborated with Sony Corp., Intel Corp. and Logitech International to turn televisions into giant monitors for Internet browsing so it can make more money selling ads.

It generated nearly 24 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Google launches ’smart’ TV.