‘Misinformed’ women fear the ‘morning after’ pill

SYDNEY – Women fear using the “morning after” pill, owing to misinformation about how it works and where they can get it, revealed reproductive health experts.

In the first national study of women’s use of emergency contraception since it was made available over the counter, it has been found that majority of women do not know …. Read the original article  : here.

New technology reveals autism’s unique vocal signature

WASHINGTON – A new automated vocal analysis technology could revolutionize the screening for autism spectrum disorders and language delay, according to a new study.

The LENA (Language Environment Analysis) system automatically labelled infant and child vocalizations from recordings and thereafter an automatic acoustic analysis designed by the researchers showed that pre-verbal vocalizations of very young children … Original source on Gaea Times at : New technology reveals autism’s unique vocal signature.

Cool roofs and pavements may help fight global warming

WASHINGTON – Light-coloured cool rooftops and roads can curb carbon emissions and combat global climate change, found a new study by searchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The study is the first to use a global model to study the idea.

And the researchers have found that implementing cool roofs and cool pavements in cities around the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cool roofs and pavements may help fight global warming.

Kazakh archaeologists discover grave of ‘The Sun Lord’

ASTANA – Archaeologists have discovered the grave of a gold-clad ancient Scythian warrior, also known as “The Sun Lord.”

The grave was discovered in Karaganda Region east of the capital, Astana.

“He was probably a ruler and a warrior simultaneously,” Eurasia.net quoted expedition leader Arman Beysenov as saying.

“The person’s torso was entirely covered with gold. The figure …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Did Michelangelo hide anatomy lesson in Sistine Chapel?

WASHINGTON – Could it be that Michelangelo hid an anatomy lesson in the Sistine Chapel frescoes painted by him? The answerer is yes, if new research is to be believed.

The master painter-sculptor concealed an image of the human brainstem in a panel showing God at the beginning of Creation, according to an article in the …. Original article  : Did Michelangelo hide anatomy lesson in Sistine Chapel?.

Speakers with foreign accents seem less truthful to listeners

WASHINGTON – People with foreign accents appear less credible to listeners, revealed a study at the University of Chicago.

The study said that foreign accent undermine a person’s credibility in ways that the speaker and the listener don’t consciously realize.

Because an accent makes a person harder to understand, listeners are less likely to find what … Read more »».

English ivy nanoparticles better sunscreens than off the shelf prescriptions

WASHINGTON – Inspired by English ivy’s amazing clinging power, a researcher has discovered that the tiny particles secreted from ivy rootlets could hold the key to making sunscreen safer and more effective.

Mingjun Zhang an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, found that ivy nanoparticles might protect skin from UV radiation … Original source on Gaea Times at : English ivy nanoparticles better sunscreens than off the shelf prescriptions.

Point-of-sale tobacco ads major cause of teen smoking: Study

WASHINGTON – Marketing of tobacco products at convenience stores, gas stations and small groceries is a major contributor to teen smoking, says a new study.

The study conducted by Lisa Henriksen, PhD, senior research scientist at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, says that students who visited these stores on a regular basis were at least twice …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Point-of-sale tobacco ads major cause of teen smoking: Study.

New strategy could increase antiviral drugs’ effectiveness

WASHINGTON – Scientists are now targeting the conditions, which viruses need to survive and multiply, in order to increase the effectiveness of antiviral drugs, instead of directly attacking the virus itself.

University of Edinburgh researchers devised a new strategy wherein if the site of infection is made less hospitable for the virus, the virus becomes less … Read more »».

Arthroscopic hip surgery may fully restore function in athletes: Study

WASHINGTON – Scientists claim that the minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery could help athletes with hip problems recover fully and resume their sport back at their pre-injury level of competition.

Hip arthroscopy is a less invasive outpatient procedure compared to traditional open hip surgery.

The researchers at Rush found that 78 percent of athletes suffering from hip labral … Read more »»».

Cash reward with counselling may help fight STIs

WASHINGTON – Giving cash rewards along with counselling might prove effective in combating sexually transmitted infections in rural Africa, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, the Development Research Group at the World Bank and the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania found that people who were offered up to 60 dollars … Read : Cash reward with counselling may help fight STIs.

Gut bacteria affect multiple sclerosis: Study

WASHINGTON – Biologists have discovered a connection between multiple sclerosis (MS)-an autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord-and gut bacteria.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) researchers Sarkis K. Mazmanian, an assistant professor of biology at Caltech, and postdoctoral scholar Yun Kyung Lee led the study.

Mazmanian and his colleagues tried to induce MS in [..] Read the original article: here.

Honda says it will sell electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid in 2012

Honda plans electric vehicle, plug-in in 2012

WAKO, Japan – Honda will start selling an electric vehicle as well as a plug-in hybrid in 2012 in the U.S. and Japan, joining the race to manufacture green cars in which rivals have already taken slight leads.
The plans were disclosed by Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito at … Read more »»».

Rockmelons originated in Asia, not Africa

MELBOURNE – A recent study has revealed that that the cultivated rockmelon originated in Asia, not Africa, as previously thought.

The research compared the DNA of melons around the world and also found new species that could provide plant breeders with a goldmine of new traits.

Until now, scientists have thought the cultivated rockmelon (Cucumis melo) originated … Read more »»».

Disease wiping out amphibians in Panama before they can be identified

LONDON – A park in Panama has lost 40 percent of its amphibian species in the past decade, and some wiped out even before being discovered.

Biologists discovered 11 new species, only to find that five of them are already extinct in the area.

A fungal disease causes amphibians to develop skin several times thicker than normal, …. Source article  : Disease wiping out amphibians in Panama before they can be identified.

Computer program resurrects ‘lost’ languages

WASHINGTON – A new computer program has successfully decoded a written language last used in Biblical times.

The success could lead to “resurrecting” ancient texts that are no longer understood.

Created by an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) team led by Regina Barzilay, the program translates written Ugaritic, which consists of dots and wedge-shaped stylus marks on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Computer program resurrects ‘lost’ languages.

Vaginal gel ‘can cut HIV risk by 39pct in women’

WASHINGTON – Using a vaginal microbicide gel with an antiretroviral (ARV) drug called tenofovir before and after sex can reduce HIV risk by 39 percent in women, says a new study, known as CAPRISA 004.

Researchers found that the gel was significantly more protective against HIV infection than a placebo gel among women at high risk …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Delhi wakes up to rainy Tuesday

NEW DELHI – It was a cool Tuesday in Delhi with rains lashing many parts of the city and the weather office predicting thundershowers through the day.

Delhi received 14.4 mm of rainfall from Monday to 8.30 a.m. Tuesday, said an official of the India Meteorological Department.
“Skies will remain cloudy with the possibility …. Read the original article  : Delhi wakes up to rainy Tuesday.

Report: Bear warning signs removed at mauling site near Yellowstone, but victim knew danger

Report: Warning signs removed at griz mauling site

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – An investigation has found that researchers who tranquilized and studied a grizzly bear hours before the animal killed a hiker near Yellowstone National Park removed warning signs as they left the site.
An investigation report released Monday also says the victim knew the researchers were studying …. Original source  : Report: Bear warning signs removed at mauling site near Yellowstone, but victim knew danger.

Dozens busted for illegal hunting in southern Mo. in sting involving undercover taxidermist

Undercover taxidermist busts illegal Mo. hunters

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The sign on the storefront said “Craig’s Taxidermy,” and the hunters who brought in their prized deer, turkey and fish got them back stuffed and mounted.
But they also got secretly recorded. And ultimately, many of them were busted for allegedly breaking Missouri wildlife laws.
The Department of … Read more >>.