Scientists develop new strategy that may improve cognition

WASHINGTON – US scientists have developed a new strategy that has the potential to improve cognition.

For the first time, scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have linked a brain compound called kynurenic acid to cognition, possibly open doors for new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases.

When researchers decreased … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scientists develop new strategy that may improve cognition.

Global warming started with ancient hunters: Study

WASHINGTON – Man made global warming is not a recent phenomenon, but one that started when ancient hunters roamed the planet, suggests a new study.

The study claims that massive killings of mammoths lent to the planet’s warming.

According to Doughty, Adam Wolf, and Chris Field-all at Carnegie Institution for Science – normally, mammoths would have grazed …. Source article  : Global warming started with ancient hunters: Study.

Fasting curbs production of fat, cholesterol

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that fasting causes a an enzyme to stop generating fats and cholesterol.

The study describes how SIRT1, one of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, suppresses the activity of a family of proteins called SREBPs, which control the body’s synthesis and handling of fats and cholesterol.

The research by investigators at Massachusetts … Read more »»».

Beverages can help track location

WASHINGTON – Consuming beverages may leave a chemical imprint in your hair that could be used to track your travels over time, says a study.

The findings are believed to be the first concerted effort to describe the use of beverages as a potential tool in investigating the geographic location of people.
Lesley Chesson …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Beverages can help track location.

‘Plug the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico with magnets’

WASHINGTON – A Palm Bay company has suggested ‘plugging’ the oil leakage pipe with magnets in Gulf of Mexico to stop the spill.

Chief Scientist Rainer Meinke of Advanced Magnet Lab demonstrated his idea through a miniature model of the Gulf oil spill, by using a koi pond, a pump, some two-by-fours, clamps, tubing, and a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Worker ants can lay eggs in queen’s absence

WASHINGTON – Worker ants separated from the queen develop large ovaries in preparation for laying eggs, Danish researchers have demonstrated.

For the study, researchers from the Centre for Social Evolution at the University of Copenhagen identified a candidate queen pheromone in the black garden ant.

Thereafter, they made a synthetic copy of the pheromone … Read : Worker ants can lay eggs in queen’s absence.

Archaeologists fail to find secret burial site at Seti I tunnel’s end

LONDON – The four decade long wait finally ended as archaeologists reached the end of the mysterious tunnel in the tomb of Seti I. But hopes that the advance would lead to the pharaoh’s secret burial site shattered, when the seemingly unfinished tunnel suddenly came to an end after 174m.

Giovanni Belzoni discovered the tomb, …. Original source  : Archaeologists fail to find secret burial site at Seti I tunnel’s end.

Experiencing different cultures boosts creativity

WASHINGTON – Experiencing cultures different from one’s own can enhance creativity, according to a new research.

Three studies looked at students who had lived abroad and those who hadn’t, testing them on different aspects of creativity.

Relative to a control group, which hadn’t experienced a different culture, participants in the different culture group provided more evidence …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How honey kills bacteria

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a secret ingredient in honey that kills bacteria.

They have found that bees make a protein that they add to the honey, called defensin-1, which could one day be used to treat
burns and skin infections and to develop new drugs that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

“We have completely elucidated the molecular [..] Read the original article: here.

Fearsome Moby Dick whale packed a mean bite 13 mln years ago

LONDON – Researchers have discovered the fossilised skull of a mighty whale with a killer bite. According to the team, the beast could have shared the Miocene oceans with a giant shark.

Klaas Post of the Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam, the Netherlands, came across the sea monster’s bones in Peru’s Ica desert. These bones are nearly 12 …. Read the original article  : here.

Now, a device that rocks insomniacs to sleep

MELBOURNE – A device, which can simulate the same rocking motion that parents use to put babies to sleep, has been developed in Australia to help insomniacs get their required rest.

The device, Philips Sleepwave, is attached to the mastoid bone behind the ear using a sensor cable and it works by sending electric pulses …. Source  : Now, a device that rocks insomniacs to sleep.

Scientists stumble on complex life form

LONDON – The discovery in Gabon of more than 250 fossils in an excellent state of conservation has provided proof, for the first time, of the existence of multicellular organisms 2.1 billion years ago.

This finding represents a major breakthrough: until now, the first complex life forms (made up of several cells) dated from around …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists stumble on complex life form.

Grab 40 winks to remember better

WASHINGTON – Think of your to-do list and then ’sleep on it’ to remember better, suggests a new study.

Psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis said that people who sleep after processing and storing a memory carry out their intentions much better than people who try to execute their plan before getting to sleep.

Researchers Michael … Read : Grab 40 winks to remember better.

Now, you can go ‘green’ even after your death

WASHINGTON – People who care for the environment can contribute after their death too – by opting for eco-friendly method of burial or cremation.

Entrepreneurs in Europe have developed two new and unusual methods of body disposal – including a low-heat cremation method and a corpse compost method that turns bodies into soil – both safe …. Read the original article  : here.

Software that automatically deciphers ancient language developed

WASHINGTON – A computer successfully deciphered an ancient language Ugaritic in just a couple of hours.

Regina Barzilay, an associate professor in MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Ben Snyder, a grad student in her lab, and the University of Southern California’s Kevin Knight are the creators.

Her work could not only help archaeologists translate other … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Software that automatically deciphers ancient language developed.

New Zealand greenhouse gas pricing system takes effect, immediately lifts gas, power prices

NZ carbon price system hikes household costs

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New carbon-trading laws intended to reduce climate-changing pollution emissions took effect Thursday in New Zealand, immediately sending gas prices higher.
Under the scheme, companies are given a pollution allowance, an amount of greenhouse gases they can emit without penalty. If they emit more than allowed, they … Read more >>.

Ostriches’ flying technique provides clues to dino moves

WASHINGTON – The way ostriches use their limbs and wings may provide clues about how its dinosaur ancestors moved, say researchers.

German scientists said that wing-use and hind limb function in ostriches might help palaeontologists in their quest to reconstruct locomotor techniques in bipedal (two-legged) dinosaurs.

Their study shows that these giant birds consistently use their wings …. Source  : Ostriches’ flying technique provides clues to dino moves.

Why some apples grow larger than others

WASHINGTON – A variety of apples grow larger than others because of the absence of cell division, a new American study reveals.

The research by Peter Hirst, a Purdue University associate professor of horticulture, established that a new variety, called Grand Gala, is about 38 percent heavier and has a diameter 15 percent larger than regular … Original article on : Why some apples grow larger than others.

Subtle mutations in immune gene may increase asthma risk

WASHINGTON – A gene responsible for determining whether certain immune cells live or die shows subtle differences in some people with asthma, as per a new study.

The gene encodes a protein called Siglec-8 present on the surfaces of a few types of immune cells. Usually they protect the body and keep it healthy, but can …. Read the original article  : Subtle mutations in immune gene may increase asthma risk.

Delhiites to sweat it out yet again

NEW DELHI – Delhi will remain hot and muggy Thursday with the mercury expected to touch 42 degrees Celsius and the humidity levels high despite light showers the day before.

“Even though light rains or thundershowers are predicted in some areas of the capital later in day, the weather will remain hot and humid,” an …. Read the original article  : Delhiites to sweat it out yet again.