Boffins identify critical genes for Down syndrome

LONDON – Scientists have identified critical genes responsible for some aspects of Down syndrome, a well known cause of mental retardation and diseases like Alzheimer’s.

A team of scientists from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC), led by Zygmunt Galdzicki, associate professor of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, …. Original source  : Boffins identify critical genes for Down syndrome.

Now, a drug to fight sweet cravings

SYDNEY – Researchers from Australia have invented a new drug that will help people to curb their sweet cravings.

The new drug is expected to fight overeating by making sweet food less pleasurable.

Food stimulated the same reward pathways in the brain as drugs of addiction such as heroin and cocaine, said Michael Cowley, director of the … Read more »».

In US cities, AIDS virus is linked more to poverty than race, study finds

In US cities, HIV linked more to poverty than race

ATLANTA – Poverty is perhaps the most important factor in whether inner-city heterosexuals are infected with the AIDS virus, according to the first government study of its kind.
The study, released Monday, suggests that HIV is epidemic in certain poverty-stricken urban neighborhoods. And, more significantly, poor heterosexuals … Read more »».

‘Aerosols can only temporary fix global warming’

LONDON – Injecting aerosols in the upper atmosphere is believed to be a method that can quickly counter global warming. However, this is not the case, new research reveals.

In a paper appearing in Nature Geoscience, Kate Ricke, a climate physicist at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her team show, by modelling, that solar-radiation … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Aerosols can only temporary fix global warming’.

‘Conan the Bacterium’ could have been the origin of life on Earth

MELBOURNE – Brazilian scientists have suggested that organisms like a microbe dubbed ‘Conan the Bacterium’ could have been the origin of life on Earth, after they found that it could withstand space travel.

Researchers subjected the bug, Deinococcus radiodurans, to powerful radiation, freezing temperatures and a vacuum chamber, all designed to simulate conditions found on meteorites … Read more : ‘Conan the Bacterium’ could have been the origin of life on Earth.

Prickly patch set to make painful jabs history

LONDON – If you’ve always hated painful jabs here’s some good news for you. A prickly skin patch, which delivers medicine painlessly under the skin, could soon replace injections, according to scientists.

Patches containing micron-scale needles that carry vaccine with them as they dissolve into the skin could simplify immunization programs. Applied easily to the skin, …. Source  : Prickly patch set to make painful jabs history.

Poor people more often infected by AIDS virus than those with more money, study finds

Study: Poverty, more than race, tied to HIV

ATLANTA – Poverty is perhaps the most important factor in whether inner-city heterosexuals are infected with the AIDS virus, according to the first government study of its kind.
The study, released Monday, suggests that HIV is epidemic in certain poverty-stricken urban neighborhoods. And, more significantly, poor heterosexuals in those … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Poor people more often infected by AIDS virus than those with more money, study finds.

Day cloudy in Delhi, rains likely by evening

NEW DELHI – It was a cloudy Monday in Delhi with the weather office forecasting rains later in the day.

“The skies will remain clouded. There are chances for rain towards the evening,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department.
The minimum temperature was 28.8 degrees Celsius, two notches above average, the official said … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Day cloudy in Delhi, rains likely by evening.

Failure to deliver electricity highlights setbacks in effort to repair war-ravaged Afghanistan

After years of rebuilding, most Afghans lack power
KABUL, Afghanistan – The goal is to transform Afghanistan into a modern nation, fueled by a U.S.-led effort pouring $60 billion into bringing electricity, clean water, jobs, roads and education to this crippled country. But the results so far – …. Original source  : Failure to deliver electricity highlights setbacks in effort to repair war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Scientists to use lasers, planes, software to assemble detailed map of California coastline

Scientists to make detailed map of Calif. coast

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Scientists will be using laser beams, computer software and airplanes to piece together what they say will be the most detailed map ever assembled of the California coastline.
State and federal scientists are set to begin work next month on a map of the state’s …. Original source  : Scientists to use lasers, planes, software to assemble detailed map of California coastline.

NASA telescope made in Utah State University lab set to finish sky survey

NASA telescope made in Utah set to finish survey

SALT LAKE CITY – A telescope made by Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Lab for NASA is on track to complete its first sky survey.
So far, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer – or WISE – project has discovered 25,000 asteroids.
The lab’s WISE program manager John Elwell says …. Read the original article  : NASA telescope made in Utah State University lab set to finish sky survey.

Soon, solar-powered camera straps to charge batteries

LONDON – Photographers will soon be able to charge their camera batteries with the rays of the sun.

A team of Chinese researchers are developing solar panels to straps that would make the charging easy. Inventor Weng Jie’s idea, of which a prototype may be ready in months, could spell the end of wall-socket charging, reports …. Original source  : Soon, solar-powered camera straps to charge batteries.

Flu shot in the mail? Microneedles may make that possible, or just buy it at a drug store

Microneedles may make getting flu shots easier

WASHINGTON – One day your annual flu shot could come in the mail.
At least that’s the hope of researchers developing a new method of vaccine delivery that people could even use at home: a patch with microneedles.
Microneedles?
That’s right, tiny little needles so small you don’t even feel them. Attached … Read : Flu shot in the mail? Microneedles may make that possible, or just buy it at a drug store.

Fun along the Maine coast ends for Obamas after weekend of hiking, biking in national park

First family wraps up packed Maine holiday
BAR HARBOR, Maine – President Barack Obama and the first family are headed home to Washington after their weekend vacation on the coast of Maine.
The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha boarded a small military jet serving as Air Force One and took …. Source article  : Fun along the Maine coast ends for Obamas after weekend of hiking, biking in national park.

Hot and humid Sunday in Delhi as rains keep away

NEW DELHI – With the rains eluding Delhi for another day, hot and humid weather spoiled a Sunday outing for many. Weather officials however forecast some rainfall on Monday.

“We had to stay at home for the whole day as the weather was too muggy to go anywhere,” said Shweta Arya, who works with ICICI Infra. …. Read the original article  : Hot and humid Sunday in Delhi as rains keep away.

Boffins developing ’smart’ metal to help you save on electric bills

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Maryland are developing a new “smart” metal that could help cool homes or refrigerate food 175 per cent more efficiently than current technology, allowing users to save a great deal on electric bills.

The new “thermally elastic” metal alloy also promises far greater efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gas …. Source  : Boffins developing ’smart’ metal to help you save on electric bills.

Women in their 30s, 40s are new breed of anorexia sufferers: Study

SYDNEY – A new study conducted by the University of Sydney has shown that women in their 30s, 40s and even older suffer from anorexia.

The study, therefore, suggests that the disease is not only a condition of the young.

Stephen Touyz, professor of clinical psychology, conducted the first study of its kind in the world, … Read more »».

Incorporating Twitter in academics ‘can make teaching effective’

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that incorporating social media in classes can be an attention-grabbing and effective teaching method.

Dr. Mia Moody, an assistant professor of journalism and media arts at Baylor University, said that social media in lectures, textbooks and traditional discussion groups not only prepares students for current and future communication trends, …. Source  : Incorporating Twitter in academics ‘can make teaching effective’.

Unhealthy family relationships lead to behavior problems in kids

WASHINGTON – A new psychology study has found that unhappy families, are unhappy in two distinct ways, and the dual pattern of such unhealthy relationships lead to a host of specific difficulties for children during their early school years.

The three-year study examined relationship patterns in 234 families with six-year-old children.

“Families can be a support and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Unhealthy family relationships lead to behavior problems in kids.

‘Cool’ imagery lowers hot flashes in women nearing menopause

WASHINGTON – Women who specifically pictured images associated with coolness during hypnotherapy tend to have a dramatic decrease in hot flashes that are experienced just before menopause, a new American study has found.

“This is an interesting finding because it begins to shed light on what is it, specifically, about hypnotic relaxation therapy that reduces …. Source  : Gaea News Network.