People flee homes as floodwater enters Bihar villages

PATNA – Thousands of people in Bihar fled their homes Wednesday as floodwaters entered over 100 villages and threatened to inundate many others.

Nearly 100 villages in Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks of Muzaffarpur have been inundated since Monday. Water also entered dozens of villages in Bagaha district after levels rose in all the major …. Original article  : People flee homes as floodwater enters Bihar villages.

Rising Indian Ocean levels may worsen flooding in India

WASHINGTON – Rising levels in parts of the Indian Ocean may worsen monsoon flooding in India and Bangladesh.

According to a study led by Weiqing Han, the associate professor in atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder, US, this is attributed to warming caused by manmade increases of greenhouse gases.
The parts affected … Read more >>>.

The chicken may have come before the egg, sort of

WASHINGTON – British researchers may have uncovered a partial answer to the age-old question, “what came first the chicken or the egg?”

According to a team, comprising researchers from the University of Warwick and the University of Sheffield, the answer is “chicken” or at least a particular chicken protein.

There is, however, a further twist … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : The chicken may have come before the egg, sort of.

Gay couples set sexual agreements to build trust, not for HIV protection

WASHINGTON – In a study on gay male couples, researchers have found that partners in a relationship set “sexual agreements”-rules about whether sex with outside partners is allowed-primarily because they want to strengthen and improve their relationship rather than for protection against HIV.

The study explores how sexual agreements affect both HIV risk and a relationship’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gay couples set sexual agreements to build trust, not for HIV protection.

Odds of finding ET is ‘1 in 10 million’

MELBOURNE – There is 1 in 10 million chance of successfully eavesdropping on the daily radio traffic of extraterrestrial life forms, calculated a pair of UK scientists.

Duncan Forgan, from the University of Edinburgh and Professor Bob Nichol from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, used a computer modelling technique, called Monte Carlo Realisation, to simulate … Read more »».

Biomarker for early detection of oral cancer discovered

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered a biomarker called human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3), which may help in early detection of oral cancer.

Oral cancer first appears as white or red lesions in the mouth, the same as non-cancerous lesions.

Early detection is difficult to detect, until it spreads to other organs.

HBD-3 is only found in the basal …. Read the original article  : Biomarker for early detection of oral cancer discovered.

Google ‘to launch Facebook competitor ‘Google Me’

LONDON – Rumour has it that Google might launch its own social networking site ‘Google Me’.

According to The Telegraph, Kevin Rose, the founder of Digg, tweeted, “Ok, umm, huge rumour: Google to launch Facebook competitor very soon “Google Me,” very credible source” on June 28.

Google has reportedly been researching social networking patterns in order … Original source on Gaea Times at : Google ‘to launch Facebook competitor ‘Google Me’.

Why our brains ‘light up’ over celebrity endorsements

LONDON – If you were to watch Charlize Theron selling a pair of Jimmy Choos, chances are you would remember it for a longer time because she is a celebrity.

A new study from Erasmus University found heightened activity in a certain part of the brain of volunteers when confronted with a celebrity, reports the BBC.

The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why our brains ‘light up’ over celebrity endorsements.

Sea levels rising in parts of Indian Ocean: Experts

LONDON – Humans-induced greenhouse gases are increasing sea levels in parts of the Indian Ocean, say experts.

The climate change is amplifying regional sea rise changes in Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Java.

The rise could threaten lives in Bangladesh and India, causing massive floods in monsoons.

An enormous area of the tropical …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sea levels rising in parts of Indian Ocean: Experts.

Ciggie cravings result from habit, not addiction

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that cravings from cigarettes arise from habit, and not addiction.

This may be the reason why nicotine patches and gum are often ineffective in curbing smoking.

Dr. Reuven Dar of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Psychology found that the intensity of cravings for cigarettes had more to do with the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ciggie cravings result from habit, not addiction.

No rain forecast for Delhi Wednesday

NEW DELHI – The mercury will remain on the higher side in the national capital Wednesday with little or no chance of rain, the weather office said.

“The sky will be partly cloudy with possibility of thunder towards the evening and night. There are little or no chances of rains,” said an official of the India … Read this article on Gaea Times at : No rain forecast for Delhi Wednesday.

Scientists: Rare dark jellyfish, the black sea nettle, showing up in San Diego Bay

Rare dark jellyfish showing up in San Diego Bay

SAN DIEGO – Scientists say a rare species of dark purple jellyfish is showing up in San Diego Bay and washing ashore on beaches.
Dr. Nigella Hillgarth of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said Tuesday the Birch Aquarium has four of the jellies for display.
Hillgarth says the black …. Original article  : Scientists: Rare dark jellyfish, the black sea nettle, showing up in San Diego Bay.

Natural gas groups seek limit to EPA fracking study as Colo. residents question water quality

EPA seeks comment in Denver on fracking study

DENVER – Natural gas industry groups on Tuesday urged the Environmental Protection Agency to limit the scope of an upcoming study on the effects of a natural gas extraction process known as fracking.
Some environmental groups want the federal agency to also examine eventual effects on air quality. The … Original article on : Natural gas groups seek limit to EPA fracking study as Colo. residents question water quality.

UN panel sees private help key to fulfill $100 billion climate pledge

UN eyes private help in $100 billion climate aid
UNITED NATIONS – A pledge by rich nations in Copenhagen to provide as much as $100 billion a year of climate-related aid to developing countries by 2020 may depend in part on the generosity of private donors and other non-governmental sources.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UN panel sees private help key to fulfill $100 billion climate pledge.

Colorado Republican running for gov apologizes for plagiarism, calls it ’serious mistake’

Colo. governor candidate apologizes for plagiarism

DENVER – Republican Scott McInnis apologized to voters Tuesday for lifting part of a judge’s work for a series of essays on water rights that the gubernatorial candidate had passed off as his own.
“It’s unacceptable, it’s inexcusable, but it was also unintentional,” McInnis said in a statement. “I made a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

EPA holding public meeting in Denver to take comment on upcoming fracking study

EPA public meeting in Denver focuses on fracking

DENVER – The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday was holding the second of four public meetings to gather comments about an upcoming study of how drinking water might be affected by a method of extracting natural gas.
The decades-old process – called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking – pumps water …. Read the original article  : EPA holding public meeting in Denver to take comment on upcoming fracking study.

Illinois governor floats plan to control Asian carp by harvesting, shipping to China for food

Ill. governor floats plan to catch, eat Asian carp

CHICAGO – Diners in China could soon help control the Asian carp that are infesting Illinois waterways and threatening the Great Lakes.
Gov. Pat Quinn announced an agreement Tuesday between a Chinese meat processing plant and an Illinois fish company that is expected to pull 30 million pounds …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Federal agency approves $3 billion gas pipeline running from Wyoming to Oregon

$3B gas pipeline from Wyo. to. Ore. gets feds’ OK

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A $3 billion gas pipeline from Wyoming to Oregon has cleared its last major regulatory hurdle, and its builder is optimistic that work could begin soon.
El Paso Corp. has begun staging equipment and pipe sections near the 675-mile route, company spokesman Richard Wheatley … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Federal agency approves $3 billion gas pipeline running from Wyoming to Oregon.

Judge dismisses federal terror charges against animal rights activists accused in CA protests

Terror charges dismissed against animal activists

SAN JOSE, Calif. – A federal judge has dismissed charges against four animal rights activists accused of violating a rarely enforced anti-terrorism law while protesting at University of California scientists’ homes.
U.S. District Judge Ronald M. Whyte on Monday tossed out the indictments against Maryam Khajavi, of Pinole; Joseph Buddenberg, of … Read : Judge dismisses federal terror charges against animal rights activists accused in CA protests.

Salazar defends decision to scrap Utah oil-lease sale in last days of Bush administration

Salazar defends pulling oil-lease parcels in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Tuesday defended his decision to scrap much of the Bush administration’s final oil-lease sale in Utah even though his inspector general found no evidence of department pressure to rush the auction.
Salazar spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff told The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Salazar defends decision to scrap Utah oil-lease sale in last days of Bush administration.