Even midnight sun won’t convince bees to work nights

LONDON – Bees observe a strict working day, even in conditions of 24-hour sunlight, research shows.

Researchers tagged worker bumblebees with a radio identifier, similar to an Oyster Card, which was used to monitor their movements during the constant light of the Arctic summer.
Ralph Stelzer and Lars Chittka from Queen Mary University of London, …. Original article  : Even midnight sun won’t convince bees to work nights.

How fast can you gauge when she is looking at you?

LONDON – How fast you can judge whether a person of the opposite sex is looking at you depends on how masculine or feminine they look, according to a new study.

The researchers speculate that there may be an evolutionary advantage to quickly noticing when a hottie is looking at you.
Psychologists have debated how …. Original article  : How fast can you gauge when she is looking at you?.

New formula determines accurate peak heart rate for women

WASHINGTON – A new formula, based on a large study, provides a more accurate estimate of the peak heart rate a healthy woman should attain during exercise.

It also will more accurately predict the risk of heart-related death during a stress test.
“Now we know for the first time what is normal for women, …. Source article  : New formula determines accurate peak heart rate for women.

Surgery not a treatment option for every patient with herniated disk

WASHINGTON – A herniated disk is one of the most frequent causes of low back and leg pain in adults, but not everyone needs to go for surgery, according to a literature review.

Led by Joseph Lee, the review claimed that … Original article on : Surgery not a treatment option for every patient with herniated disk.

‘Copy-and-paste DNA’ more common than previously believed

WASHINGTON – Movable sequences of DNA-also known as ‘Copy-and-paste DNA’-which give rise to genetic variability and sometimes cause specific diseases, are far more common than previously thought, according to researchers at the University of Leicester.

For the study, Dr Richard Badge and his collaborators examined L1 (or LINE-1) retrotransposons- …. Original article  : ‘Copy-and-paste DNA’ more common than previously believed.

Hidden secrets of world-famous paintings revealed via science

WASHINGTON – The hidden secrets of some of the world’s most famous paintings have been revealed, and the credit for the feat goes to a partnership between EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and the National Gallery.

Culminating in the first major exhibition of its kind in summer 2010, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Hidden secrets of world-famous paintings revealed via science.

Endometriosis compromises women’s work productivity

WASHINGTON – In the first of its kind study of the societal impact of endometriosis, researchers have found a significant loss of work productivity among those women who suffer from the condition.

Dr. Kelechi Nnoaham, from the Department … Original article on : Endometriosis compromises women’s work productivity.

Yawning ‘reveals sexual desire’

WASHINGTON – The next time you yawn, beware – you could be sending out an erotic message to someone sitting close to you – say experts.

Academics from Europe, the U.S., India and the Middle East attended the first ever International Conference on Yawning …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Soon, a ‘pacemaker’ for the brain

WASHINGTON – Israeli scientists are trying to develop a chip that will allow doctors to wire computer applications and sensors to the brain, aiding the treatment of disorders such as depression or Parkinson’s disease.

The … Read more >>>.

Heart risks linked to diabetes drug

WASHINGTON – A recent study has revealed that the use of diabetes drug rosiglitazone is associated with an increased risk for heart attack.

Rosiglitazone was approved in 1999 to treat hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) among patients with type …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Government hikes compensation amid elephant menace

RAIPUR – Amid rising cases of killings of forested residents by wild elephants, Chhattisgarh Tuesday increased the compensation amount for families in three worst man-elephant conflict districts.

“The amount has been increased to Rs.150,000 from Rs.100,000 to the family if a member is killed in elephant attacks in Jashpur, Koria and Surguja districts,” an official statement … Read more : Government hikes compensation amid elephant menace.

Gene leads to longer shelf life for tomatoes, other fruits

WASHINGTON – A researcher has found a gene that slows down the ageing process in tomatoes and extends their shelf life by a week.

Avtar Handa, professor of horticulture, Purdue University, found that adding a yeast gene increases production of a compound that slows ageing and delays microbial decay in tomatoes.
“We can inhibit the … Read : Gene leads to longer shelf life for tomatoes, other fruits.

Elders watch more TV than younger people

WASHINGTON – Contrary to popular belief, older adults watch more TV than children or teenagers and it is not good for them either, a study has revealed.

Researchers at the Stein Institute for Research on Ageing, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) examined TV use in a large, nationally representative sample that was collected by … Read more »».

Scientists breed world’s most perfect prawn

WASHINGTON – After a decade of painstaking research and breeding, scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian prawn industry have successfully bred what may be called the world’s most perfect prawn.

The new, improved Black Tiger prawns have bagged five gold medals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists breed world’s most perfect prawn.

New discovery paves way for early detection of Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered changes in the brains of normal individuals at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease that could prove important for early detection of the disease.

The research team at the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine, led by Brian Gold, associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology, focused on the brain’s white matter, which …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ancient Mayans were master rubber makers 3500 years ago

WASHINGTON – Mesoamericans were the first polymer scientists – they made rubber from latex nearly 3,500 years long before modern vulcanisation was invented.

According to a new research, by a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), pre-Hispanic peoples not only invented rubber, but also perfected techniques of chemical processing to enhance its properties.

They …. Source  : Ancient Mayans were master rubber makers 3500 years ago.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ area over 6500 sq miles, oil spill impact unclear: Experts

WASHINGTON – Experts claim that the Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ is expected to be between 6,500 and 7,800 square miles, an area roughly the size of Lake Ontario.

The 2010 forecast, released today by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), would make it the Gulf’s 10th-largest oxygen-starved, or hypoxic, region on record.

It is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gulf ‘dead zone’ area over 6500 sq miles, oil spill impact unclear: Experts.

Underwater creatures may hold key to malaria cure

WASHINGTON – A research team, including an Indian-origin boffin, has revealed that sponges, sea worms and other underwater creatures may hold the key to cure for malaria.

University of Central Florida scientist Debopam Chakrabarti is analyzing more than 2,500 samples from marine organisms collected off deep sea near Florida’s coast. Some of them could hold the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Underwater creatures may hold key to malaria cure.

Here’s how memories are made

WASHINGTON – A new study, led by researchers at the University of Leicester, has uncovered for the first time the mechanism by which memories are formed.

The study in the Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology identified one of the key proteins involved in the process of memory and learning. The research has potential to impact …. Read the original article  : here.

Tooth regeneration gel could make painful fillings history

WASHINGTON – A new gel that encourages growth of cells inside teeth that have cavities could replace the painful procedure of fillings.

The new gel or thin film could eliminate the need to fill painful cavities or drill deep into the root canal of an infected tooth. Instead of a drill, the gel against an infected … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tooth regeneration gel could make painful fillings history.