One tiny satellite in space, whiz kids plan two more

BANGALORE – Ignited by their maiden success in placing a tiny satellite in the polar orbit early this week, its young pioneers are raring to launch two more satellites into space.

“The successful launch and placing of our first pico-satellite (StudSat) in the earth’s lower orbit has inspired us to build two similar satellites for the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New discovery paves way for treatment of incurable blood cancer

WASHINGTON – Researchers from Uppsala University have now presented a conceptually new model for the development and progression of multiple myeloma- one of the most common blood cancers, and at present considered to be incurable.

Using large cohorts of myeloma patients, the researchers have identified a profile of genes that are silenced by epigenetic mechanisms in … Read more >>>.

Mice cages alter brains, affect scientific research

WASHINGTON – In a breakthrough study, researchers at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus have found that the brains of mice used in laboratories worldwide can be profoundly affected by the type of cage they are kept in.

The feat could require scientists to re-evaluate the way they conduct future experiments.

“We assume that mice used …. Source article  : Mice cages alter brains, affect scientific research.

Probability of other sun-like stars higher than previously believed

LONDON – Turning previous theories on their head, an Indian-origin researcher has claimed that there are many solitary sun-like stars in the universe, which exist without any stellar companion.

The finding by Deepak Raghavan of Georgia State University in Atlanta and colleagues boosts the likelihood that there are other life-friendly solar systems in the universe.

Previous surveys … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Probability of other sun-like stars higher than previously believed.

Silicon chip speed record shattered on electron ‘racetrack’

LONDON – A “racetrack” that can shuttle electrons around at high speeds has set a new record for silicon chips.

Electrons travelling through silicon have a strict speed limit due to electrical resistance. In a bid to shatter this limit, computer scientists are considering replacing silicon with carbon, as atom-thick sheets of carbon, or graphene, can …. Source article  : Silicon chip speed record shattered on electron ‘racetrack’.

Toxic bacteria killed Alexander the Great?

WASHINGTON – Scientists are claiming that a deadly bacterium in the The Styx River, the legendary portal to the underworld, may have ended Alexander’s life.

An extraordinarily toxic bacterium harboured by the “infernal” Styx River might have been the fabled poison rumoured to have killed Alexander the Great (356 -323 B.C.) more than 2,000 years ago, … Read more : Toxic bacteria killed Alexander the Great?.

Soon, eye movement-based lie detector test

WASHINGTON – Our eye movements have long been thought to reveal whether we are telling the truth or lying. Now a group of University of Utah researchers are using eye-tracking technology to pioneer a promising alternative to the polygraph for lie detection.

Educational psychologists John Kircher, Doug Hacker, Anne Cook, Dan Woltz and David Raskin were … Read more : Soon, eye movement-based lie detector test.

Bearded ’super’ fish helps salvage ocean dead zone

LONDON – Scientists have discovered that a resilient fish, thriving in an inhospitable, jellyfish-infested region off Africa’s south-west coast, is helping to keep the local ecosystem going, and preserving an important fishery.

The Benguela ecosystem, off the coast of Namibia, was once rich in sardines, but overfishing and environmental factors caused the population to crash, … Read more : Bearded ’super’ fish helps salvage ocean dead zone.

Drugs rescue fruit flies from Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Researchers have successfully prevented age-related cognitive decline in fruit flies with Alzheimer’s gene mutation by treating them with drugs such as lithium, or by genetic manipulations that reduced nerve-cell signalling.

Researchers, led by Dr.Thomas A. Jongens associate professor of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, worked with the familial form of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Drugs rescue fruit flies from Alzheimer’s.

Eco-friendly insect repellents identified

WASHINGTON – Paving way for new environmental-friendly insect repellents, researchers have identified two compounds emitted by mosquito predators that make the mosquitoes less inclined to lay eggs in pools of water.

Called kairomones, the compounds emitted by insect predators are detected by their prey, and can even trigger adaptations, such a change in body size or … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Eco-friendly insect repellents identified.

Organisms with large brains live longer and reproduce more

WASHINGTON – Confirming the protective brain hypothesis, researchers have claimed that species, which have developed large brains, live for longer than those with small brains and hence reproduce more times.

According to this hypothesis, the brain would adopt a “protective” role which would help to reduce mortality and lengthen the reproductive live of the individuals, thereby …. Original source  : Organisms with large brains live longer and reproduce more.

Soon, Google to ‘predict your desires’

LONDON – Google may soon be able to deliver search results to its users even before they know that they want the information.

Amit Singhal, one of Google’s veteran search algorithm engineers, wants to develop a search engine that second-guesses users’ needs well ahead of time.

“I call it searching without searching,” New Scientist quoted him … Read more : Soon, Google to ‘predict your desires’.

Cooked food helped humans evolve bigger brains: Study

LONDON – Scientists have suggested that cooked food is the reason behind humans’ big brains.

According to one controversial evolutionary theory, early humans developed a taste for cooked food around 2 million years ago, and this set in motion a series of changes that made us utterly different from any other animal.

Now, scientists have …. Read the original article  : Cooked food helped humans evolve bigger brains: Study.

1600-year-old Mayan King’s tomb discovered in Guatemala

WASHINGTON – Archaeologists have discovered a tomb of an ancient Mayan king in Guatemala, filled with materials that have been preserved for approximately 1,600 years.

Brown University’s Stephen Houston and his colleagues uncovered the tomb, which dates from about 350 to 400 A.D. The tomb is packed with of carvings, ceramics, textiles, and the bones …. Read the original article  : here.

Riding with the whale sharks in India

NEW DELHI – The giant whale shark – a gentle specie of the deep sea about which very little is known – will soon be a tourist attraction off the Gujarat coastline even as it is tagged for genetic analysis and conservation.

Tourism officials are hoping to start the “whale shark tours” soon along the Gujarat …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Riding with the whale sharks in India.

Now, a quick and affordable microfluidic HIV test

WASHINGTON – A researcher at UC Davis has developed a “lab on a chip” device for HIV testing, which is quick and pocket friendly.

Biomedical engineer Prof. Alexander Revzin’s microfluidic device uses antibodies to “capture” white blood cells called T cells that are affected by HIV.

In addition to physically binding these cells the test … Original source on Gaea Times at : Now, a quick and affordable microfluidic HIV test.

Vitamin deficiency after weight loss op ‘can cause vision loss in infants’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that vitamin deficiency after weight loss surgery can cause vision loss in newborns.

Researchers documented the case of a woman who had undergone biliopancreatic diversion surgery for obesity seven years before the birth of her child.

At nine weeks gestation, the mother was diagnosed with severe deficiencies of Vitamins … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vitamin deficiency after weight loss op ‘can cause vision loss in infants’.

Australia’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces Aug 21 general elections

Australian PM Gillard announces Aug 21 elections

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard will attempt to win a second term for her center-left government at Aug. 21 elections, with battle lines drawn on climate change, asylum seekers, and record-high public debt.
Buoyed by opinion polls endorsing her new leadership, Gillard called the election …. Original source  : Australia’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces Aug 21 general elections.

Pill ‘less effective in obese women’

WASHINGTON – Some birth control methods, such as the pill, might be less effective in obese women, while others, such as those given using a shot, might work just as well, according to a recent review article.

The review examined the results of seven studies on the success of hormonal contraceptives in obese and overweight women. …. Source  : Pill ‘less effective in obese women’.

‘Cuddle chemical’ could help schizophrenics

LONDON – Nasal sprays with the hormone oxytocin, nicknamed the “cuddle chemical”, could ease the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Oxytocin is called the cuddle chemical because it helps mothers bond with their babies.

In the study, 15 participants used the sprays for three weeks only.

And most reported measurable improvements in their symptoms in the first trial to test … Read more »».