New drug olaparib may hold promise for women with genetic breast cancer

WASHINGTON – A new drug called olaparib may help thousands of women suffering from genetic breast cancer, if results of the first tests on patients are to be believed.

The researchers behind the study tested the drug on 54 women with advanced genetic breast cancer, and found that the drug olaparib could stop the growth of … Read : New drug olaparib may hold promise for women with genetic breast cancer.

Abused kids likely to have mental disorders as young adults

WASHINGTON – Kids who suffer abuse are likely to have mental disorders later in life, revealed a study.

Most studies of child maltreatment and later mental health outcomes have relied on reports of past abuse, according to background information in the article.

Doubts have been raised about the reliability and validity of these reports, given that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Abused kids likely to have mental disorders as young adults.

Italian farmers unveil anti-aging square ’super tomato’

MELBOURNE – Italian farmers have unveiled a square “super tomato”, which, they say, actually slows the aging process.

Farmers said the new variety of the salad favourite contained high concentrations of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that combats the effects of aging.

According to ANSA news agency, farmers claim that the tomato was produced by natural methods without … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Italian farmers unveil anti-aging square ’super tomato’.

Winning on home turf makes one crave for future fights

LONDON – Winning a fight on home turf instils desire for more fights in the future, revealed a brain study on mice.

The researchers found that winning a fight causes brain changes that enhance fighting ability and the desire to seek out additional contests, particularly if the fight is on familiar ground.

Matthew Fuxjager and colleagues at … Read more >>>.

Cyberbullies and their victims face physical, mental health problems

WASHINGTON – Adolescent cyberbullies and their victims may have physical and mental health problems, suggests new research.

Cyberbullying is an aggressive, intentional, repeated act using mobile phones, computers or other electronic forms of contact against victims who cannot easily defend themselves, according to background information in the article appearing in the June issue of Archives of …. Original source  : Cyberbullies and their victims face physical, mental health problems.

Dutch review supports key warnings of IPCC report

LONDON – A Dutch review of the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) brings to light a number of mistakes – some of them trivial, others more glaring – suggesting ways to minimize errors in the future.

The assessment focused on the contribution of Working Group II – on impacts, adaptation …. Original article  : Dutch review supports key warnings of IPCC report.

Depression ‘doubles dementia risk’

WASHINGTON – Having depression may nearly double your risk of developing dementia later in life, according to a new study.

To reach the conclusion, researchers examined research data on 949 people with an average age of 79 from the Framingham Heart Study.

At the start of the study, participants were free of dementia and were tested …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Depression ‘doubles dementia risk’.

Delayed school start time linked to improved adolescent behaviours

WASHINGTON – A slight delay in school start time is likely to be associated with significant improvements in adolescent alertness, mood and health, according to a new study.

“Beginning at the onset of puberty, adolescents develop as much as a two-hour sleep-wake phase delay (later sleep onset and wake times) relative to sleep-wake cycles in middle …. Source article  : Delayed school start time linked to improved adolescent behaviours.

Coming soon: A football that powers cell phone!

LONDON – A football that generates electricity to charge a cell phone or power a light from a short kick is set for trial at the 2010 FIFA World Cup host South Africa.

Four female undergraduate students, from Harvard University, who wanted to find a solution to the developing world’s chronic power shortages, designed the ball …. Source article  : Coming soon: A football that powers cell phone!.

Viagra users more likely to have STDs

WASHINGTON – Men, who use erectile dysfunction drugs like viagra, are more likely to have sexually transmitted diseases as compared to non-users, revealed a study.

The findings indicate that physicians who prescribe erectile dysfunction drugs for their male patients should be sure to discuss the importance of safer sex practices, even with older patients.

For the … Read more : Viagra users more likely to have STDs.

Sassanid fire temple found in central Iran

TEHRAN – Ruins of a fire temple dating back to the Sassanid era have recently been discovered by archaeologists.

The discovery was made during the latest season of excavations in the Vigol region near Kashan in central Iran.

The cruciform temple has four entrances leading to the ruins of a fireplace embellished with unique stucco designs.

Its …. Source article  : Sassanid fire temple found in central Iran.

Horses could be men’s next best friends after dogs

WASHINGTON – Horses inherently understand humans better than most other animals do, displaying tremendous sensitivity to even the most subtle eye and body movements, says a new study.

The research found that horses are able to decipher certain types of human-given visual and auditory cues.

It’s already known that dogs are more adept at on related studies, …. Original source  : Horses could be men’s next best friends after dogs.

Warm habitats boost bird bill size

WASHINGTON – The evolution of bird bills is linked to climate. Birds with larger beaks are usually found in hot habitats, while birds in colder environments have evolved smaller peckers, according to a new study.

The study led by Dr Matt Symonds of the Department of Zoology at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Dr Glenn … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Warm habitats boost bird bill size.

Revolutionary therapy shows promise for breast cancer patients: Lancet

LONDON – A novel therapy has the potential to slow tumour growth in advanced breast cancer, revealed researchers at Penn State University.

Researchers found that the revolutionary therapy, designed to attack tumours in patients with a genetic mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2, slowed tumour growth in 85 percent of advanced breast cancer patients treated in … Original article on : Revolutionary therapy shows promise for breast cancer patients: Lancet.

Ambitious project to lift a generation of sea turtles out of oil spill’s way

LONDON – In another ten days time eggs from nearly 800 sea-turtle nests in Alabama and the Florida ‘panhandle’ will be lifted out of the oil spill’s way.

The plan’s objective is to save a generation of already endangered sea turtles from the effects of immersion in oil from the Deepwater Horizon blowout. These effects could … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ambitious project to lift a generation of sea turtles out of oil spill’s way.

‘Holy grail’ blood test to predict Alzheimer’s disease on the anvil

LONDON – A simple blood test could soon be developed to predict Alzheimer’s disease up to ten years before the appearance of symptoms-all thanks to the discovery of a protein, called clusterin, which could be an early sign of the condition.

Scientists have suggested that levels of clusterin rise ‘many years’ before symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease …. Original article  : ‘Holy grail’ blood test to predict Alzheimer’s disease on the anvil.

Depression is a risk factor, not an early sign of Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Symptoms of depression show little change during the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center tracked symptoms of depression during the transition from no cognitive impairment to dementia and found that depression is a risk factor and not an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Our … Read : Depression is a risk factor, not an early sign of Alzheimer’s.

Good looks make you an ‘extrovert’

LONDON – If you are an attractive man or a woman, chances are that you are quite an extrovert.

Evolutionary psychologist Aaron Lukaszewski of the University of California at Santa Barbara asked 85 male and 89 female students to rate their own attractiveness relative to their peers.

The results showed that stronger and more attractive men, and …. Original source  : Good looks make you an ‘extrovert’.

New campaign to green Delhi, NCR

NEW DELHI – The Coimbatore-based NGO Isha Foundation and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) will plant 100,000 saplings in the capital in a week as part of a new green project launched by the environment wing of the Planning Commission.

The campaign, “Initiative for Greening Delhi NCR” launched Monday, aims to spread awareness about protecting … Read more >>.

Widespread rainfall in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Moderate to heavy rainfall lashed most parts of Punjab, Haryana and joint capital Chandigarh Tuesday morning, paralysing normal life. The weather office said rains would continue for the next two to three days in the region.

“The rains started Monday night and continued without a break. We are expecting more rains in the … Read : Widespread rainfall in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.