‘Quantum dot’ promises super-fast, super-powerful computing

MELBOURNE – Australian scientists have developed a new transistor in a computer chip that is 10 times smaller than those currently in use.

The invention marks the start of a new age of super-fast, super-powerful computing, has been described in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

At the [..] Read the original article: here.

Organic solids in soil may accelerate bacterial breathing

LONDON – Organic solids in soil may speed up bacterial breathing, a new study has found.

Led by University of Wisconsin-Madison geoscientist Eric Roden, the new research shows that iron oxide-breathing bacteria can also ‘mineral-breathe’ with insoluble organic substances, formed when plants and other … Read more : Organic solids in soil may accelerate bacterial breathing.

Advance made towards stopping plaque-like formations in Huntington’s disease

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified gene candidates likely to be responsible for plaque-like formations that cause neurological decline, as is the case in Huntington’s Disease.

The study has appeared in the journal GENETICS.

A laboratory test allowed scientists to evaluate large numbers of fruit fly genes …. Source  : Advance made towards stopping plaque-like formations in Huntington’s disease.

Giant asteroid collision created 50 km wide undersea dome

SYDNEY – Scientists have identified a dome, rather than a crater, at least 50 km across, buried under the Timor Sea.

It was created by a giant asteroid smashing into the Earth around 35 million years ago — a period of heavy extraterrestrial bombardment.
These findings by Australian National University (ANU) geologists could suggest a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Giant asteroid collision created 50 km wide undersea dome.

Moon craters may be electrified

WASHINGTON – Astronauts who would step on the moon in future will have to endure more than dust and frigid temperatures-the moon’s electrified poles.

According to an analysis, potentially hazardous electrical fields exist in the moon’s polar regions.

The phenomenon may be responsible for levitating dust from the moon’s surface.

The finding is applicable to other …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Moon craters may be electrified.

‘Viagra’ for women to hit the shelves soon

WASHINGTON – Good news for women who want to perk up the action in their bedroom-the Food and Drug Administration committee is thinking of endorsing the first pill designed to do for women what Viagra does for men-boost their sex lives.

A German pharmaceutical giant wants to sell a drug with the decidedly unsexy name [..] Read the original article: here.

New quantum process delivers tamper-proof e-messages

SYDNEY – A new quantum communication process can deliver unprecedented security, cutting down risks of sensitive information falling into wrong hands.

The University of New South Wales’ telecommunications researcher Robert Malaney has developed the process called “unconditional location verification”.
It ensures that even if an encryption password has fallen into the wrong hands, a secure … Read more : New quantum process delivers tamper-proof e-messages.

‘Immune evasion’ uncommon in M. tuberculosis

LONDON – The strategy of “immune evasion”, which is common to many viruses, bacteria and parasites, is uncommon to M. tuberculosis where the antigens remain strikingly unchanged and homogenous, found scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center.

The study suggests that M. tuberculosis antigens do not mutate because they hope to be recognized by the body’s immune … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Immune evasion’ uncommon in M. tuberculosis.

Vaginal gel could offer protection against HIV

WASHINGTON – In a test on monkeys, a vaginal microbicide based on a new type of anti-HIV drug could offer significant protection against infection with a virus similar to HIV, researchers have found.

The study is the first of a gel with an integrase inhibitor, one of the latest additions to the arsenal of drugs [..] Read the original article: here.

Diamonds travel at 60 km per hour inside Earth

LONDON – Diamond infused magma travel to the surface of the earth from deep within the planet at a blistering 60 kilometres per hour.

Rising magma in Earth’s mantle is thought to ascend at just a few centimetres per year.

It was known that kimberlite, which often contains diamonds, can rise more quickly near the surface, … Original article on : Diamonds travel at 60 km per hour inside Earth.

‘Human Lego’ paves way for artificial organs

LONDON – Hope to build artificial organs for human implantation has been boosted with the creation of Lego-like blocks made of human cells.

Javier Fernandez and Ali Khademhosseini at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have built a variety of living 3D shapes on a cell-by-cell basis, such as tubes and solid spheres.

Now, the experts anticipate constructing … Read more »»».

Measuring methane may give clue to size of Gulf oil spill

WASHINGTON – A geochemist has said that the extent of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico can be measured by determining the dissolved methane gas drifting around it.

David Valentine of the University of California, Santa Barbara, called for “a concerted community effort” by scientists, federal officials and British Petroleum to devote at least two …. Read the original article  : Measuring methane may give clue to size of Gulf oil spill.

World’s GPS to get faster, more accurate as US begins upgrade

LOS ANGELES – The world’s GPS, or Global Positioning System, is getting a major upgrade which will enable it to pinpoint targets within an arm’s length, compared with a margin of error of 20 feet or more now.

The system which guides ATM and Wall Street to time-stamp transactions, US drones to target Taliban hideouts, courier … Read : World’s GPS to get faster, more accurate as US begins upgrade.

Indonesian worker punches Komodo dragon to free his hand from bite

Indonesian worker bitten by Komodo dragon
JAKARTA, Indonesia – An Indonesian worker freed himself from an attacking Komodo dragon by punching the reptile’s snout until it released him and ran away, a national park official said Monday.

Agustinus Jenaru, 20, was working inside an unfinished wooden bungalow on Rinca island when the 6.5-foot (two meter) lizard entered …. Read the original article  : Indonesian worker punches Komodo dragon to free his hand from bite.

Delhi to swelter at 43 degrees

NEW DELHI – People in the capital continued to swelter in the oppressive heat as met officials predicted a hot and humid Monday with the day temperature likely to be at 43 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature settled at 30.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above the normal for this time of the year.
“Skies will … Read more >>.

The good news is San Francisco’s flock of wild parrots is bigger; the bad, it needs more help

San Francisco’s famous parrots face rough times

SAN FRANCISCO – The wild parrots that call San Francisco home have become a given of city life, squawking their way to their favorite spots, delighting tourists. The famous flock is now about 300 strong, more than triple what it was 10 years ago.
But that, it turns out, is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : The good news is San Francisco’s flock of wild parrots is bigger; the bad, it needs more help.

Atlantis starts home journey

WASHINGTON – The US space shuttle Atlantis separated from the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday to prepare for its home journey on the shuttle’s last-ever mission before being retired.

The Shuttle with its crew of six astronauts eased away from the ISS at 1522 GMT for the return flight and its scheduled landing in Cape Canaveral, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Atlantis starts home journey.

Shuttle Atlantis undocks from space station after week together to deliver supplies, batteries

Shuttle Atlantis undocks from space station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a week of flying together, shuttle Atlantis undocked from a larger and virtually completed International Space Station on Sunday and headed for home on its final voyage.
“Have a safe trip back and godspeed to you,” radioed the space station’s skipper, Oleg Kotov.
Atlantis isn’t due to …. Original article  : Shuttle Atlantis undocks from space station after week together to deliver supplies, batteries.

Two space crews say goodbye after week together; shuttle Atlantis set to undock from station

Space shuttle, station crews say goodbye
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a week together in space, the shuttle and station crews shared some final laughs Sunday as they bid one another farewell and sealed the hatches just a few hours ahead of Atlantis’ departure.

Atlantis was set to undock late Sunday morning and, with its six astronauts, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Two space crews say goodbye after week together; shuttle Atlantis set to undock from station.

Iran to launch communications satellites

TEHRAN – Iran Sunday unveiled its plans to launch two homemade communications satellites into orbit by March next year.

Mohammad Ali Forghani, head of Iran’s space agency, said the satellites would be displayed to public by mid this year, Iranian Fars news agency reported.
“These two satellites, which will be tasked with taking photos … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Iran to launch communications satellites.