Iran says missing nuclear scientist has taken refuge in Pakistani embassy in Washington

Iran: Missing scientist surfaces in Washington

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran says a missing Iranian nuclear scientist has taken refuge at the Pakistani embassy in Washington and is asking to return to his homeland.
The state TV says the scientist, Shahram Amiri, entered the embassy’s office representing Iranian interests in the U.S. and demanded an “immediate return” to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Apathy, depression may increase dementia risk

WASHINGTON – A new study says that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual’s progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

Depression causes changes in mood, thinking, physical well-being and behavior, while apathy is loss of motivation without associated feelings of being depressed or blue.

Yonas E. Geda, M.D., …. Source  : Apathy, depression may increase dementia risk.

New radiation device paves way for improved breast cancer treatment

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the radiation given with the Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI(tm)) controls the rate of cancer and may reduce the complications seen with alternate types of brachytherapy.

The device concentrates dosage to the target tissue with minimum exposure of healthy surrounding tissue and organs.

“After almost two years, the patients …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Dogs could help curtail Chagas disease

LONDON – A new study says that although dogs are the one of the main carriers of the Chagas disease parasite, they can also help health officials monitor the disease.

The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the triatomine insect, or “kissing bug,” which sucks the blood of mammals – cats, dogs and humans.

“One of our most significant … Read : Dogs could help curtail Chagas disease.

Gene mutation that leads to mental retardation in boys identified

LONDON – Researchers have found that a subtle mutation affecting the epigenome – a set of dynamic factors that influence gene activity – may lead to an inherited form of mental retardation that affects boys.

The findings may help scientists further understand why X-linked disorders cause cognitive impairment and develop new therapies to treat or prevent … Original article on : Gene mutation that leads to mental retardation in boys identified.

Calls hold clues to a male’s paternal potential

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that courtship calls help females penguin decide which males are likely to be devoted dads.

Penguin calls may not be music to our ears, but to penguin females they hold clues to a male’s paternal potential, author Emma Marks of the University of Auckland and colleagues reported.

To find out, … Read more »»».

Archaeologists discover oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered a tiny clay fragment dating from the 14th century B.C.E. Found in excavations outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls, the tablet contains the oldest written document ever found in the Israeli capital.

The find further testifies to the importance of Jerusalem as a major city in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Archaeologists discover oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem.

NASA, Microsoft collaborate to ‘bring Mars to life’

WASHINGTON – NASA and Microsoft Research have joined hands in a bid to bring Mars to life with new features in the WorldWide Telescope software that provide viewers with a high-resolution 3-D map of the Red Planet.

Microsoft’s online virtual telescope explores the universe using images NASA spacecraft return from other worlds. Teams at NASA’s Ames …. Read the original article  : NASA, Microsoft collaborate to ‘bring Mars to life’.

Greenland glacier breaks up, retreats nearly 1.5km in a day

WASHINGTON – A seven square kilometre section of Greenland’s Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier broke up on July 6 and 7.

The calving front – where the ice sheet meets the ocean – retreated nearly 1.5 kilometres in a day and is now further inland than at any time previously observed. The chunk of lost ice is roughly [..] Read the original article: here.

Asthma warning for expecting mums

WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that asthma is the most common complication of pregnancy in Australia with harmful effects on babies, but many of these could be prevented.

Asthma affects 16 percent of pregnancies in South Australia but women are often not identified as asthmatic, says Associate Professor Vicki Clifton from the University of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Mixed practice’ makes a man perfect

LONDON – A new American study explains why variable practice improves the brain’s memory of most skills better than practice focused on a single task.

The research, by cognitive neuroscientists at the University of South Carolina and the University of California, Los Angeles, appears in Nature Neuroscience.

The researchers split 59 volunteers into six groups: three …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Mixed practice’ makes a man perfect.

Trick the mind into satisfying the belly

WASHINGTON – The key to weight loss could lie in tricking our mind into thinking about how filling the food will be before we eat it.

Test subjects were more satisfied for longer periods after consuming varying quantities of food for which they were led to believe that portion sizes were larger than they actually were. … Read more >>.

Chunk of Greenland glacier breaks up overnight

WASHINGTON – A seven square kilometre section of a Greenland’s Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier broke up July 6 and 7.

The chunk of lost ice is roughly one-eighth the size of Manhattan Island, New York.
The calving front – where the ice sheet meets the ocean – retreated nearly 1.5 km in one day and is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Dozen villages inundated in Haryana floods

CHANDIGARH – Large swathes of agriculture land were inundated and nearly a dozen villages submerged in flood waters in Haryana’s Sirsa and Fatehabad districts due to breaches in the Ghaggar river, officials said Tuesday. However, flood waters have begun receding in Punjab.

The water level in the Ghaggar river in Sirsa district was flowing above the … Read : Dozen villages inundated in Haryana floods.

Has Large Hadron Collider rival Tevatron found elusive ‘God particle’?

WASHINGTON – The Tevatron, the most powerful huge particle accelerator in the world after the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) – housed at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois – is rumoured to have discovered the Higgs boson, or so-called “God particle”.

Tommaso Dorigo, a physicist at the University of Padua, writes about the speculation …. Original source  : Has Large Hadron Collider rival Tevatron found elusive ‘God particle’?.

Weight loss program improves hot flushes in obese menopausal women

WASHINGTON – An intensive weight loss intervention program could bring improvements in bothersome hot flushes during menopause among overweight and obese women, according to a study.

Alison J. Huang, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues in a six-month randomized controlled trial, used self-administered questionnaires to assess bothersome hot flushes.

“Hot flushes are …. Original article  : Weight loss program improves hot flushes in obese menopausal women.

Low vitamin D levels lead to Parkinson’s disease

WASHINGTON – For the first time, researchers have shown that low vitamin D levels can help predict whether someone will later develop Parkinson’s disease, according to an editorial.

The study on vitamin D levels and Parkinson’s disease risk points to the need for further research on whether vitamin D supplements can protect against the movement disorder, … Read more : Low vitamin D levels lead to Parkinson’s disease.

Coming soon: Clothes that can hear and speak!

LONDON – A team of MIT researchers has developed fibres that can detect and produce sound.

Shunji Egusa, a former postdoc in Fink’s lab, and current lab members No???mie Chocat and Zheng Wang developed the fibre in the lab with a plastic commonly used in microphones.

“If you connected them to a power supply and applied a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Coming soon: Clothes that can hear and speak!.

Arsenic could be a potential cancer treatment

WASHINGTON – A form of arsenic-the notorious poison-could be useful in treating a variety of cancers, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Arsenic trioxide has been used as a therapy for a particular type of leukemia for more than 10 years.

Combining arsenic with other therapies may give doctors … Original source on Gaea Times at : Arsenic could be a potential cancer treatment.

New method to help nerves grow after trauma or injury found

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a new method to enhance nerve regeneration in the peripheral nervous system.

The find could lead to new treatments for nerve damage caused by diabetes or traumatic injuries.

Peripheral nerve damage can lead to pain, tingling, numbness or difficulty coordinating hands, feet, arms or legs.

Dr. Douglas Zochodne, a neurologist and professor …. Source article  : New method to help nerves grow after trauma or injury found.

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.

Behavioural economic analysis may help understand craving for booze

WASHINGTON – Behavioural economic analysis may lead to an improved understanding of craving for alcohol and other drugs, suggests new research.

This method of studying how craving alters the way a person values a drug is fairly new, but according … Read more >>.

Triceratops, Torsaurus same dino at different stages of growth

WASHINGTON – A new American study has debunked over a 100 years of thought regarding the dinosaurs known as Triceratops and Torosaurus. Both the reptiles are actually the same dinosaur at different stages of growth, according to the research.

Since … Original article on : Triceratops, Torsaurus same dino at different stages of growth.

Key Alzheimer’s risk gene causes alterations in shapes of brain protein deposits

WASHINGTON – Using a newly discovered class of biomarkers, researchers have found that the shape of brain protein deposits is different in people with Alzheimer’s who have the highest-risk gene type than in those with the condition who have a neutral risk gene type.

Researchers …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Key Alzheimer’s risk gene causes alterations in shapes of brain protein deposits.

What makes a bee grow up to be a queen?

WASHINGTON – Putting a new piece into the puzzle of what makes a bee grow up to be a queen, researchers have found that a key protein in the insulin signaling pathway plays a strong role in caste development among bees.

The study by researchers in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Massive stars are born the same way as their smaller counterparts

LONDON – Researchers have managed to obtain the first infrared image of a compact disc closely encircling a massive young star-a strong evidence that massive stars form in the same way as their smaller brothers.

The international research team led by Stefan Kraus … Read more : Massive stars are born the same way as their smaller counterparts.

Salsa may help elderly dance their way to better health

WASHINGTON – A University of Illinois at Chicago researcher is conducting a pilot study to find out if salsa can improve the health of elderly Latinos who have limited mobility and face elevated risks of disability.

David Xavier Marquez, assistant professor of kinesiology and nutrition, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Salsa may help elderly dance their way to better health.

New text ‘app’ could make typing on touchscreen mobiles 50pc faster

LONDON – Typing on touchscreen mobiles could soon get fifty percent faster, thanks to a new text and email programme for smartphones.

Mobile technology firm TouchType, has introduced SwiftKey, a text prediction “app”, which could save time for smartphone users.

The innovation works by using language technology that predicts whole words as a person types on the …. Read the original article  : New text ‘app’ could make typing on touchscreen mobiles 50pc faster.

Individuals with alcohol problems find comfort in speaking to clergy

WASHINGTON – A new study indicates that individuals find comfort in confessing their alcohol problems to the clergy.

University of Michigan Health System and Saint Louis University researchers also found that majority of those who used services from clergy also used professional services at some point.

The study revealed that clergy services are an important part of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Individuals with alcohol problems find comfort in speaking to clergy.

Brain fitness program improves visual memory in older adults

WASHINGTON – A commercial brain fitness program has been shown to improve memory in older adults, at least in the period soon after training.

The UCSF research shows that simple visual tasks can improve the accuracy of short-term, or “working” visual memory.

Working memory is essential to accomplish immediate tasks, such as engaging in conversation with several … Read : Brain fitness program improves visual memory in older adults.

Dementia in diabetics differs from dementia in nondiabetics: Study

WASHINGTON – Researchers say that the cause of dementia in diabetic patients is different from that in non-diabetics.

Dementia in some diabetics appears to be caused often by vascular disease in the brain, while in people without diabetes it is more likely associated with deposition of the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dementia in diabetics differs from dementia in nondiabetics: Study.

Here’s why we dream

MELBOURNE – Scientists may have finally uncovered why we dream – it could be a crucial tool for sorting and filing information and discarding mental trash, says an Australian researcher.

“One theory is that it’s a way of allowing your brain to recover and consolidate all …. Original source  : Here’s why we dream.

Fossil find puts face on last common ancestor of apes and monkeys

LONDON – The discovery of a skull in Saudi Arabia is providing new insights into what the last common ancestor of apes and monkeys may have looked like and when the two lineages went their separate ways.

Iyad Zalmout and colleagues at the University of Michigan and the Saudi Geological …. Source  : Fossil find puts face on last common ancestor of apes and monkeys.

Special retinal cells allow blind mice to ’see’

WASHINGTON – Mice can see light as well as patterns and images without rod and cone cells, thanks to special photosensitive cells in their retinas, new research reveals.

For long it has been believed that eyesight would not exist but for the presence of rod … Original source on Gaea Times at : Special retinal cells allow blind mice to ’see’.

Obama to promote electric vehicles as jobs creator in Michigan

Obama to promote electric vehicles in Michigan
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is attending the groundbreaking for a new battery manufacturing facility in Michigan on Thursday to promote his administration’s investments in advanced battery and electric vehicle technology.
The Compact Power plant in Holland, Mich., will produce advanced batteries for Chevrolet and Ford electric cars. … Read more : Obama to promote electric vehicles as jobs creator in Michigan.

Obama’s Maine vacation destination known as summer retreat for the well-heeled and well-known

Obama’s Maine island long visited by rich, famous
BAR HARBOR, Maine – Serving as a summer retreat for Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Morgans, this town and the surrounding area have long been known as a place where well-heeled and well-known visitors could beat the heat – and have their privacy respected.
President Barack Obama is the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama’s Maine vacation destination known as summer retreat for the well-heeled and well-known.

Boffins discover plants’”nervous system”

LONDON – Plants “remember” and “react” to information encrypted in light as well as transmit information about light intensity and quality from leaf to leaf, a process that is strikingly similar to the human nervous system.

These “electro-chemical signals” are carried by cells, which act as plant “nerves”.

Led by Professor Stanislaw Karpinski, from the Warsaw University … Original article on : Boffins discover plants’ “nervous system”.

Artificial lungs offers hope to transplant patients

LONDON – Scientists have been able to grow artificial lungs that function in rats.

They hope that a similar technique could one day engineer donor organs for humans.

Currently, donor organs are in short supply, and rejection is likely even if a lung becomes available.

Teams from Harvard Medical School in Boston and Yale University first removed lungs … Read more »»».

Non-toxic, recyclable oil recovery agent could ease Gulf spill mess

WASHINGTON – A team of chemists have developed a non-toxic, recyclable agent that can solidify oil on salt water so that it can be scooped up like the fat that forms on the top of a pot of chilled chicken soup.

The agent could potentially be used to recover oil lost in the British Petroleum … Read more >>.

Archaeologists discover late-Roman cemetery in Lincolnshire

LONDON – Archaeologists have found 46 human skeletons at what is thought to be an ancient Roman cemetery, in a county village.

The discovery was made during a five-week dig taking place as part of the development of a derelict pub in Caistor, near Market Rasen.

“The graves are orientated from east to west, with the heads …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Archaeologists discover late-Roman cemetery in Lincolnshire.

Obesity ‘impairs’ women’s memory

WASHINGTON – A new research from Northwestern Medicine has shown that obesity harms women’s memory and brain function.

The research also revealed that the effect is more pronounced in women who carry excess weight around their hips, known as pear shapes, than women who carry it around their waists, called apple shapes.

The study of 8,745 …. Source article  : Obesity ‘impairs’ women’s memory.

Your longevity depends on your brain size!

LONDON – Mammals with larger brains in relation to body size tend to have longer lives.

This finding is based on an analysis of about 500 mammal species by the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), affiliated to Universitat Aut??noma de Barcelona.
The brain size of some mammals like chimps, gorillas, whales, dolphins … Read more »»».

A third of the Chinese population uses internet

BEIJING – The number of Chinese people who use the internet has gone up to 420 million – about a third of the populaton – boosted by the rising number of cell phone connections.

This number recorded at the end of June 2010 shows an increase of 36 million from the number of internet users in …. Source article  : A third of the Chinese population uses internet.

New theory on why some mountains form, crumble

MELBOURNE – Scientists in Australia have come up with a new theory about the movement of tectonic plates that can help explain why and when some mountains form and crumble.

Geophysicist Dr Wouter Schellart, of Monash University in Melbourne, and colleagues, studied the comings and goings of mountains at subduction zones.

Ever since plate tectonic theory …. Original source  : New theory on why some mountains form, crumble.

NASA’s Messenger probe reveals new information about Mercury

WASHINGTON – The Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER), the first spacecraft designed by NASA to orbit Mercury is providing new insights on the planet’s atmosphere and evolution.

Launched in August 2004, the MESSENGER, conducted a third and final flyby of Mercury last September. The probe completed a critical manoeuvre using the planet’s gravity … Read more : NASA’s Messenger probe reveals new information about Mercury.

Under fire, ethanol industry scrambles to keep billions of dollars in incentives

Ethanol industry scrambles to keep incentives

WASHINGTON – The once-popular ethanol industry is scrambling to hold onto billions of dollars in government subsidies, fighting an increasing public skepticism of the corn-based fuel and wariness from lawmakers who may divert the money to other priorities.
The industry itself can’t agree on how to persuade Congress to keep the … Read more : Under fire, ethanol industry scrambles to keep billions of dollars in incentives.

Blame your serotonin levels for being a crybaby

WASHINGTON – Always end up crying while watching a movie high on emotional quotient? Well, blame your serotonin levels for it, says a new study.

Frederick van der Veen of the Erasmus Medical Centre and colleagues have found that due to the differences in the neurotransmitter some people are more likely to cry in emotional situations …. Original source  : Blame your serotonin levels for being a crybaby.

Egypt Ramesses II temple found in Upper Egypt

ROME – The remains of a 3,000 year old temple dating from the reign of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Rameses II have been unearthed in the excavations in Upper Egypt’s Ehnasia archaeological area.

Ramesses II ruled Egypt from 1279-1213 BC and was the son of Seti I, whose secret ‘tomb within a tomb’ was uncovered in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Egypt Ramesses II temple found in Upper Egypt.

Titan lake-levels change due to Earth-like seasonal evaporation

WASHINGTON – The water level of lakes on Earth rises and falls with the seasons and with longer-term climate changes, as precipitation, evaporation, and runoff add and remove liquid. Now scientists have, for the first time, found compelling evidence for similar lake-level changes on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.

Using data gathered by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft over …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Titan lake-levels change due to Earth-like seasonal evaporation.

Now radiation can track cancer, oil spills and terrorism

WASHINGTON – A study has found that a new radiation mechanism could more directly target cancer, and may someday help clean up environmental disasters such as the Gulf oil spill and detect explosive powder hidden underneath clothing.

University of Central Florida physicist Richard Klemm and a team of scientists in Japan, who developed the mechanism, reckon … Read more »».

How mice sniff out whether food is safe to eat

WASHINGTON – Scientists have revealed how mice sniff out scent of food on the breath of their fellow mice to decide whether it’s safe to eat or not.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore knew how mice pair a particular odour with a chemical ingredient found in mouse breath.

And now they … Read more »».

Human sperm gene is 600 million years old

WASHINGTON – Mammals’ ability to produce sperm is very ancient, probably originating as early as 600 million years ago, according to new evidence found by researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The researchers have found that there is one sex-specific gene so vital that its function has remained unaltered throughout evolution and is found … Original source on Gaea Times at : Human sperm gene is 600 million years old.

NASA confirms presence of ‘baked cometary planet’

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has enabled scientists to confirm the existence of a super hot “cometary planet.” The gas giant planet, named HD 209458b, is orbiting so close to its star that its heated atmosphere is escaping into space.

Observations taken with Hubble’s Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) suggest powerful stellar winds are sweeping the … Original article on : NASA confirms presence of ‘baked cometary planet’.

Calif. dairy owners promote benefits of camel milk despite federal sales ban

Dairy owners promote camel milk benefits
LOS ANGELES – To milk a camel, you need warm hands, a gentle touch and quick timing – camels give milk only in 90-second bursts.

Gil and Nancy Riegler, owners of the nation’s largest camel dairy near San Diego, said the extra work pays off with milk that is therapeutic, nutritious [..] Read the original article: here.

Australian scientists find cave of marsupial fossils in Outback; some similarities to kangaroo

Cave of marsupial fossils discovered in Outback

SYDNEY – Scientists have discovered a cave filled with 15-million-year-old fossils of prehistoric marsupials in the Outback, a rare find that has revealed some surprising similarities between the creatures and modern-day kangaroos and koalas.
Researchers have unearthed a treasure trove of beautifully preserved fossils from the cave, including 26 skulls … Read more >>.

Why walking flat-footed hurts habitual high-heel wearers

WASHINGTON – One would think wearing a pair of high-heeled Jimmy Choos was painful for your ankles, but many a time, habitual stiletto wearers feel discomfort while walking flat footed.

In a study, Marco Narici from Manchester Metropolitan University and Robert Csapo, from the University of Vienna, Austria, compared two groups of women – one regular … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why walking flat-footed hurts habitual high-heel wearers.

Mammals with larger brain sizes live longer: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study claims that mammals with larger brains in relation to body size tend to live longer.

One existing hypothesis suggests that a larger brain provides more flexibility in behaviour when facing changes in the environment and makes learning easier making ecological challenges easier.

CREAF researchers Cesar Gonzalez-Lagos and Daniel Sol, together with Simon … Read : Mammals with larger brain sizes live longer: Study.

Why Leonardo Da Vinci’s faces were so perfect

WASHINGTON – Scientists may have unlocked the mystery behind Leonardo Da Vinci’s perfect faces, like the Mona Lisa.

Philippe Walter, of the Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musees de France and his colleagues conducted a first time quantitative chemical analysis on seven paintings from the Louvre Museum.

Da Vinci’s paintings are especially fascinating …. Original source  : Why Leonardo Da Vinci’s faces were so perfect.

Now, a ‘universal’ vaccine that could fend off all types of flu

LONDON – A ‘universal’ flu vaccine could be the ‘one fits all’ jab – a new two-step approach to immunisation.

Working with mice, ferrets and monkeys, the US team ‘primed’ the immune system with a ‘base’ of influenza DNA.

They added a ‘booster’ consisting of a regular seasonal flu vaccine, which increased and broadened its immunity.

According to [..] Read the original article: here.

Boffins create malaria-proof mosquito

WASHINGTON – American scientists have broken new ground by creating genetically altered mosquitoes that cannot infect humans with malaria.

Led by Michael Riehle, University of Arizona entomologists introduced genetic modifications in mosquitoes in a way that renders them completely immune to the parasite, a single-celled organism called Plasmodium. Someday researchers hope to replace wild mosquitoes …. Source  : Boffins create malaria-proof mosquito.

Scientists create nano-materials to trap record amounts of CO2

WASHINGTON – Scientists have achieved world records for creating both porosity and carbon dioxide storage capacity in an important class of materials known as MOFs, or metal-organic frameworks.

MOFs are crystal sponges with pores that can store gases that are usually difficult to store and transport.

Porosity is crucial for compacting large amounts of gases into …. Source  : Scientists create nano-materials to trap record amounts of CO2.

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 »».

Facebook, Twitter ‘making kids dumber’

MELBOURNE – Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are making teen web surfers dumber, says a study of Australian parents.

New cyber-safety research commissioned by Telstra also revealed that parents believe the sites are affecting their kids’ health and wellbeing.

The research revealed that 65 per cent of parents with children using social media say it …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mimicking natural selection could make brain implants more efficient

LONDON – Brain implants designed in accordance with the principles of natural selection could prove more efficient, requiring a battery change less often.

Implants stimulating nerve clusters deep within the brain can help control epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. The shape, or waveform, of the electrical pulse used is crucial.

Warren Grill and his team at Duke … Read more >>.

Lunar surface may be dotted with hidden, habitable tunnels

MELBOURNE – NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has taken a series of pictures, which may establish the presence of a vast network of tunnels on the Moon.

Scientists have had a theory about lunar tunnels since the 1960s.

And if they exist, such tunnels could become home to human settlements on the Moon.

“They could be entrances to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Women better at multitasking than men’

LONDON – Psychologists have proven that women are much better than men at multitasking.

Keith Laws, professor and psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, who led the research, said: “We have all heard stories that either men can’t multitask or that women are exceptionally good at multitasking,” reports the Telegraph.
His team found that when … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Women better at multitasking than men’.

Australian election campaign begins with focus on immigration; Labor holds a slight lead: poll

Australia’s election campaigning kicks off

SYDNEY – Australia’s prime minister and her conservative opponent kicked off campaigning Sunday by touching on the key issue of immigration, a day after Julia Gillard called elections a mere three weeks after becoming premier.
Gillard, the nation’s first female prime minister, on Saturday scheduled elections for Aug. 21 amid strong support … Read more »»».

Cages affect mice brain

WASHINGTON – The type of cage that mice are kept in worldwide can profoundly alter their brains and greatly affect the accuracy of research.

“This could explain some of the failures to replicate findings in different laboratories,” said study author Diego Restrepo, professor of cell and developmental biology at the University of Colorado, reports the [..] Read the original article: here.

Women really are better at multitasking than men

LONDON – An age-old belief that men are incapable of doing more than one thing at once may be true after all – a new study has shown that that men really are worse at multitasking than women, although it does depend on the task.

During the study, Professor Keith Laws, a psychologist at the …. Read the original article  : Women really are better at multitasking than men.

Cyber warfare: Indian Army boosts its defences

NEW DELHI – The Indian Army is fighting attacks in the cyber world with electronic warfare capability of the “highest standard”, say officials pointing out that virtual strikes have shot up from hostile quarters in both sophistication and frequency.

“The army is cognisant of the threat to its cyber space from various state and non-state actors. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cyber warfare: Indian Army boosts its defences.

Thundershowers ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi continued to be high on humidity Sunday morning with a few areas seeing traces of rainfall. The met office forecast cloudy skies and thundershowers towards the evening.

“The sky will generally be cloudy with one or two spells of thundershowers towards evening. Some areas could see heavy rains,” said an official of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sharks near US beaches create panic

NEW YORK – Reports of the appearance of two, five-foot-long sharks near three beaches in New Jersey have created panic among the people.

The two sharks were seen Thursday about 50 feet from the shore at the South Seaside Park Beach in Berkeley township, which forced lifeguards to close the beach for about two hours, Fox … Read more : Sharks near US beaches create panic.

Feds gather 150 more wild horses suffering from dehydration after judge approves Nev. roundup

Federal officials resume Nevada wild horse roundup

RENO, Nev. – Federal land managers have removed about 250 more wild horses from a Nevada range after a judge allowed a controversial roundup of the animals to resume.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management spokesman Doran Sanchez said the roundup in northern Elko County began again shortly after U.S. District …. Original article  : Feds gather 150 more wild horses suffering from dehydration after judge approves Nev. roundup.

Tennis, pool and harborside lunch in Maine for first family as Obamas enjoy quick getaway

First family enjoys tennis, sights on Maine coast
BAR HARBOR, Maine – President Barack Obama and the first family played tennis and took in the sights around a Maine resort Saturday even as he contemplated a new struggle over jobless benefits with his GOP foes.
After a first vacation day packed with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Tennis, pool and harborside lunch in Maine for first family as Obamas enjoy quick getaway.

Dayton Air Show 2010 Details

New York (GaeaTimes.com) The Dayton Air Show starts today amidst nice weather for the show today at the Dayton International Airport. The Gates have opened at 9 a.m. and the show will continue till 6 pm. The main show is due to start at 11 am.

The feature performance of the show will be from …. Source article  : Dayton Air Show 2010 Details.

South Korea develops new long-range missile: Report

SEOUL – South Korea has developed a new medium-range cruise missile capable of hitting sites in North Korea and also parts of China, Japan and Russia, unconfirmed reports said Saturday.

The Hyunmu-3C missile could strike any potential nuclear site in North Korea, according to broadcaster KBS and the Yonhap news agency, citing unnamed defence officials.
Tensions …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hibernating bears avoid heart problems, may offer insight into human heart health

Hibernating bears have healthy hearts
PULLMAN, Wash. – Grizzly bears love pastries, can be 50 percent body fat and spend nearly half the year sleeping.

Yet the hibernating bears don’t suffer heart attacks, have no hardening of the arteries, no fatty deposits or any circulation issues, said Charles Robbins, director of the Washington State University bear research …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hibernating bears avoid heart problems, may offer insight into human heart health.

Australian PM, only 3 weeks on the job but already polling well, calls August elections

Australian PM, 3 weeks on job, calls Aug elections

CANBERRA, Australia – Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who called elections Saturday just three weeks after taking power, was once considered too far left to win a national vote. But polls and analysts say she has as good a chance of wooing the Australian public as her opponent: …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Australian PM, only 3 weeks on the job but already polling well, calls August elections.

Family workout for first family, then Obamas eye sights in Maine’s Acadia National Park

Good time in Maine for Obama, good news on spill
BAR HARBOR, Maine – Good news for President Barack Obama from the Gulf of Mexico and a good time for the first family on vacation in Maine.
The focus for the Obamas – the president, along with first lady Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha … Read : Family workout for first family, then Obamas eye sights in Maine’s Acadia National Park.

High humidity, little rain in Delhi

NEW DELHI – High humidity coupled with above-average maximum temperature forced Delhiites sweat it out Saturday. The weatherman said a light drizzle was reported in some parts of the capital but it brought scarce relief from the sweltering heat.

According to an official of the India Meteorological Department, the mercury Sunday will hover around a … Read : High humidity, little rain in Delhi.

Himachal may get heavy rains

SHIMLA – The hills of Himachal Pradesh may experience heavy rainfall in the next two days, a weather official said here Saturday.

“The entire state is likely to experience heavy spells of rainfall in the next two days (Sunday and Monday),” Manmohan Singh, the meteorological department director, told IANS.
He said the monsoon that was undergoing … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Himachal may get heavy rains.

Cancer drugs may help battle parasite Leishmania

WASHINGTON – A parasite afflicting nearly 12 million people across the world relies on a family of genes that should make it vulnerable to compounds developed to treat cancer and other disorders, new research by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reveals.

The …. Read the original article  : here.