NASA launches SOFIA

WASHINGTON – NASA has launched The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) jetliner in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center.

The program achieved major milestone on May 26, with its first in-flight night observations.

Jon Morse, Astrophysics Division director in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: “With this flight, SOFIA begins a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NASA launches SOFIA.

‘Horniest’ ever dino discovered

WASHINGTON – The discovery of a new horned dinosaur, Medusaceratops lokii, has been announced by a scientist at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The newly identified plant-eating dinosaur, approximately 20 feet long and weighing more than 2 tons, lived nearly 78 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Horniest’ ever dino discovered.

Reforestation may lower climate change mitigation potential of forests

WASHINGTON – Reforestation and afforestation, the creation of new forests, may lower the potential of forests for climate change lessening, scientists at the University of Oklahoma and the Fudan University in Shanghai, China, have found.

Yiqi Luo, professor of ecology in the OU …. Read the original article  : Reforestation may lower climate change mitigation potential of forests.

Test to identify ‘best’ sperm developed

WASHINGTON – A method to select sperm with the highest DNA integrity in a bid to improve male fertility has been created by Yale researchers.

The method is comparable to that of the egg’s natural selection abilities, according to the study published in the June/July issue …. Read the original article  : Test to identify ‘best’ sperm developed.

Two die of heat stroke in Punjab

CHANDIGARH – An 18-year-old rickshaw puller and a middle-aged police constable died from heat stroke in Punjab, health officials said here Saturday.

The rickshaw puller died in Zirakpur town, around 10 km from here, Friday while the Punjab Police head constable died in Hoshiarpur town, about 120 km from the state capital.
On Saturday, there was … Read more »»».

2010 is big year in bald eagle recovery effort: 15 chicks born on California’s Channel Islands

15 bald eagles born this year on Calif. islands

LOS ANGELES – There haven’t been so many bald eagle chicks on the Channel Islands in 50 years – since chemicals contaminated their food supply and destroyed all of the majestic birds on the island chain off the Southern California coast.
Fifteen chicks have hatched this year on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 2010 is big year in bald eagle recovery effort: 15 chicks born on California’s Channel Islands.

US, Japan strike accord on contentious US military air base in Okinawa, sticking to 2006 plan

US, Japan to keep US military air base on Okinawa
TOKYO – Washington and Tokyo agreed Friday to keep a contentious U.S. Marine base in the southern island of Okinawa, reaffirming the importance of their security alliance amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula.
In a joint statement, the two allies agreed to move the … Original source on Gaea Times at : US, Japan strike accord on contentious US military air base in Okinawa, sticking to 2006 plan.

Australia says it will take Japan to International Court of Justice to stop whaling

Australia to take Japan to court over whaling

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia announced on Friday it will take Japan to the International Court of Justice in a major escalation of its campaign to prevent whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.
The decision to take legal action against Australia’s important trading partner underlines the government’s “commitment to bring to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Australia says it will take Japan to International Court of Justice to stop whaling.

Efficient nitrogen management results in more cow milk production

WASHINGTON – Dairy farmers can make their cows produce more milk by efficiently managing nitrogen, researchers have found.

Agricultural Research Service scientists and cooperators have come up with efficiency ratings to help dairy farmers make better use of their nitrogen in the face …. Read the original article  : Efficient nitrogen management results in more cow milk production.

200km deep subduction of Indian continent under Asia

WASHINGTON – The continental crust of the Indian tectonic plate was forced down under the Asian plate by around 200 kilometres some 90 million years ago, when the Indian subcontinent clashed with Asia, a research has revealed.

“The subduction of continental crust to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 200km deep subduction of Indian continent under Asia.

Obama to learn about difficult, dirty job of cleaning oily beaches and marshlands in Louisiana

Obama to see tough job of cleaning oily beaches

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will get a look at how hard it is to clean up beaches and marshes fouled by oil in Louisiana.
Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen says he thinks that’s the most important thing for the president to see Friday on his trip to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama to learn about difficult, dirty job of cleaning oily beaches and marshlands in Louisiana.

Rival’s deep, masculine voice not enough to challenge a man’s dominance

WASHINGTON – Men with a deep, masculine voice are considered more dominant by other men, but a man’s own dominance perceived or actual – does not affect how attentive he is to his rivals’ voices, according to a new study.
However, his own dominance does influence how … Read : Rival’s deep, masculine voice not enough to challenge a man’s dominance.

Secret behind Rembrandt’s ‘magic’ uncovered

WASHINGTON – A University of British Columbia researcher has found the secret behind what makes Rembrandt’s masterful portraits so appealing.

In the study, Steve DiPaola has argued that Rembrandt may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer’s gaze around … Read more : Secret behind Rembrandt’s ‘magic’ uncovered.

Novel stem cells source can form heart muscle cells, repair damage

WASHINGTON – Japanese scientists have found a new and non-controversial source of stem cells that can form heart muscle cells and help repair heart damage.

In preliminary lab tests, researchers used the amniotic membrane the inner lining of the sac in which an embryo develops – to obtain … Read : Novel stem cells source can form heart muscle cells, repair damage.

Video shows oil plume significantly darker; expert says that means heavier, more-polluting oil

Gulf oil plume darker; not good news, expert says

WASHINGTON – Live video of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill shows the underwater plume getting significantly darker. A top oil engineering expert says that suggests heavier, more-polluting oil is spewing out.
The color of the oil gushing from the main pipe has changed in color from medium … Read more »».

Coopers Beach in Southampton, NY tops 10 best beaches; 2 Fla. sites on list

Dr. Beach: NY’s Southampton beach tops list

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Hamptons hoi polloi probably assumed it was always No. 1.
Coopers Beach, with pristine white sand gently sloping toward a shoreline of lapping waves, convenient parking and amenities and nary a gum wrapper in sight, has been selected as America’s best beach in an annual survey released … Original article on : Coopers Beach in Southampton, NY tops 10 best beaches; 2 Fla. sites on list.

Congress proposes federal funding to build recharging network, tax credits for electric cars

Congress offers grants, credits for electric cars

WASHINGTON – The federal government would provide grants to help cities build the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles and to offer new tax credits for buyers of those cars under legislation introduced Thursday in Congress.
The bills in the House and Senate are designed to smooth the way for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Congress proposes federal funding to build recharging network, tax credits for electric cars.

Pleasant weather in Delhi, thunderstorm likely

NEW DELHI – Delhi saw pleasant weather Saturday morning and the met office said there was a possibility of a thunderstorm by evening.

The minimum temperature was a notch above average at 29.1 degrees Celsius.
“The skies will remain clear today (Saturday) and there is a possibility of a thunderstorm towards the evening. The maximum temperature …. Source  : Pleasant weather in Delhi, thunderstorm likely.

Australia takes Japan to international court to stop whaling; Tokyo cites scientific research

Australia takes Japan to court over whaling

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia said Friday it will challenge Japan’s whale hunting in the Antarctic at the International Court of Justice, a major legal escalation in its campaign to ban the practice despite Tokyo’s insistence on the right to so-called scientific whaling.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry called the action regrettable at … Original article on : Australia takes Japan to international court to stop whaling; Tokyo cites scientific research.

New US-German airborne infrared telescope makes first in-flight observations

US-German flying observatory sees ‘first light’

PALMDALE, Calif. – A new U.S.-German infrared observatory mounted in a jumbo jet has made its first in-flight night observations.
NASA said Friday that the highly modified Boeing 747SP jetliner carrying the 100-inch-diameter telescope achieved the milestone on May 26 during a six-hour flight from its base in Palmdale, Calif.
The joint …. Read the original article  : here.