Who is likely to become bully, victim or both?

WASHINGTON – Research shows that children and adolescents who lack skills to solve social problems tend to become bullies, victims or both.

It was also found that boys bully more than girls and children who face academic troubles are also likely to become bullies.
“This is the first time we have overviewed the research to see …. Source  : Who is likely to become bully, victim or both?.

Knocking out a gene makes female mice masculine

WASHINGTON – Knocking out a gene called fucose mutarotase (FucM) from female mice, actually makes them masculine-they refuse to males mount them, and will attempt copulation with other female mice.

The mammalian fucose mutarotase enzyme is known to be involved in incorporating the sugar fucose into protein.

Researchers created the FucM mouse mutants in order to … Read : Knocking out a gene makes female mice masculine.

Prevention of mental decline in aging rats offers hope to patients with Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – A compound, called P7C3, could restore the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain’s memory hub, revealed scientists at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

The research has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Prevention of mental decline in aging rats offers hope to patients with Alzheimer’s.

Male fireflies ‘flash’ in unison to attract mates

WASHINGTON – Scientists claim that male fireflies exhibit synchronous flashing to preserve female fireflies’ recognition of suitable mates.

Fireflies produce bioluminescence as a mating tool, in which males display a species-specific pattern of flashes while “cruising” through the air, looking for females, says lead author Andrew Moiseff of the University of Connecticut.

In an experiment conducted with … Read more : Male fireflies ‘flash’ in unison to attract mates.

DNA discovery paves way for new therapies for hereditary cancers

WASHINGTON – Researchers have revealed new avenues to develop assessment tools and alternative treatments for people living with hereditary colorectal cancers.

The research team was led by Alba Guarne, an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster, and involved researchers in Europe and the United States. The lead author of the …. Source  : DNA discovery paves way for new therapies for hereditary cancers.

‘Heat waves could be commonplace in US by 2039???

WASHINGTON – A new study has claimed that heat waves in the United States could become very frequent in the next 30 years.

“In the next 30 years, we could see an increase in heat waves like the one now occurring in the eastern United States or the kind that swept across Europe in 2003 that …. Read the original article  : ‘Heat waves could be commonplace in US by 2039′.

Green peppers, chamomile tea may protect against inflammation

WASHINGTON – Natural compounds, known as phytochemicals, in green peppers, chamomile tea may offer protection against inflammation, found a new study.

Studies led by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) molecular biologist Daniel H. Hwang are providing some of the missing details, how these compounds accomplish this feat.

Certain kinds of inflammation can increase risk of cancer and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Green peppers, chamomile tea may protect against inflammation.

‘Magical thinking’ about islands ‘just an illusion’

WASHINGTON – The perception that islands have different and ‘magical’ evolutionary processes is nothing but an illusion, say scientists.

Conventional wisdom has it that creatures like Komodo dragons, dwarf elephants, Hobbit-sized humans and a horde of monster-sized insects – are all products of island evolution.

Dr. Shai Meiri of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Zoology says “yes,” …. Source  : ‘Magical thinking’ about islands ‘just an illusion’.

Power supply snag hits Indian communication satellite

CHENNAI – Scientists of the Indian space agency are working to fix a power snag that switched off 12 transponders of the INSAT-4B comunication satellite Wednesday night, affecting services of some television channels and telecom operators.

“An expert team is looking at the possibilities of partial utilisation of some of the transponders that were …. Source  : Power supply snag hits Indian communication satellite.

1 in 5 US preschoolers displays mental health issues when starting kindergarten

WASHINGTON – A study has found that 1 in 5 preschoolers in the US display mental health issues when transition from preschool to formal schooling takes place.

Dr. Alice S. Carter and colleagues conducted the study on 1,329 healthy children born between July 1995 and September 1997 in the New Haven-Meriden Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area of …. Source  : 1 in 5 US preschoolers displays mental health issues when starting kindergarten.

Pregnant teen mums ‘at higher preterm birth risk’

WASHINGTON – Pregnant teenagers are more likely to give birth prematurely and have a small baby than women in their 20s, says a new study.

Ali Khashan, from University College Cork, Ireland, worked with a team of researchers to study all 14-29 year-old women who had a live baby in the North West of England between [..] Read the original article: here.

Past post-glacial warming changed North Pacific circulation

WASHINGTON – A new study could provide valuable insights into what drives glacial and interglacial cycles.

The article, titled, “Deep Water Formation in the North Pacific during the Last Glacial Termination” is by Axel Timmermann of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, and his colleagues.

In a video interview, Timmermann explains the implications for our understanding of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Past post-glacial warming changed North Pacific circulation.

New dino species christened ‘Mojoceratops’ for its ‘magic charm’

WASHINGTON – It has a heart shaped frill on its head, and a flamboyant appearance too – so Mojoceratops seemed like an apt name for the new dino species.

“I discovered that ‘mojo’ is an early 20th-century African-American term meaning a magic charm or talisman, often used to attract members of the opposite sex,” said Longrich, …. Original article  : New dino species christened ‘Mojoceratops’ for its ‘magic charm’.

Express your emotions to make more friends

NEW YORK – Poker-faced people who stay emotionally guarded no matter what situation they face have trouble making friends, say experts.

According to The New York Times, psychologists found that students who were best at suppressing their emotions also were the ones who had the most difficult time making friends.

“An individual who responds to the college …. Source  : Express your emotions to make more friends.

Why kids confuse letters ‘b’ and ‘d’ while learning to write

LONDON – A new study shows why kids confuse letters such as ‘b’ with ‘d’ – mirror images – while learning how to write.

Stanislas Dehaene of INSERM, the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Saclay, France, says that the phenomenon occurs because of children “recycling” an area of the brain that recognises shapes … Original source on Gaea Times at : Why kids confuse letters ‘b’ and ‘d’ while learning to write.

30-minute massage ‘enough to ease chronic tension headache’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have proved that the psychological and physiological state of patients with tension headache improves within 24 hours after receiving a 30-minute massage.

Researcher Cristina Toro Velasco and Professor Manuel Arroyo Morales showed that a 30-minute massage on cervical trigger points improves autonomic nervous system regulation in these patients.

Similarly, patients report a perceived relief … Original article on : 30-minute massage ‘enough to ease chronic tension headache’.

Tiny RNA molecule could prevent cocaine addiction

LONDON – Researchers have found that a specific and remarkably small fragment of RNA appears to protect rats against cocaine addiction – and may also protect humans.

The discovery could lead to better ways of predicting drug abuse risk and treating addictions

In the study, researchers at The Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida found that cocaine …. Source article  : Tiny RNA molecule could prevent cocaine addiction.

Practice, as well as working memory capacity, makes musicians perfect

WASHINGTON – Practice along with working memory capacity enhances piano players’ ability to sight read a new piece of music- an important and complex skill for musicians, found researchers.

Scientists have debated the role of practice in developing expertise for over a century.

In 2007, researchers proposed that it takes a decade of intense practice to … Read more »».

California boosts enforcement of organic rules in effort to fight fraud at farmers markets

Calif. aims to boost enforcement of organic rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It’s been barely a year since Luis Miranda began selling organic produce at farmers markets near his home in California’s Central Valley, but he’s already seen every trick in the book.
Scanning the stands recently at a market in downtown Sacramento, Miranda pointed out a half-dozen …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : California boosts enforcement of organic rules in effort to fight fraud at farmers markets.

Antibodies that prevent 90pct of HIV strains from infecting humans discovered

WASHINGTON – In a breakthrough study, researchers have discovered two potent human antibodies that can stop more than 90 percent of known global HIV strains from infecting human cells in the laboratory.

The researchers have also demonstrated how one of these disease-fighting proteins accomplishes this feat.

According to the scientists, these antibodies could be used to … Read more : Antibodies that prevent 90pct of HIV strains from infecting humans discovered.