Vaccine reduces child cases of bacterial pneumonia: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that the number of children admitted to English hospitals with bacterial pneumonia decreased by a fifth in the 2 years following the introduction of a vaccine to combat the disease.

Bacterial pneumonia is a serious illness caused by … Read : Vaccine reduces child cases of bacterial pneumonia: Study.

Martian ‘enigmatic elliptical depression’ baffles scientists

WASHINGTON – Scientists have long been baffled by Orcus Patera, an enigmatic elliptical depression near Mars’s equator, in the eastern hemisphere of the planet.

The term ‘patera’ is used for deep, complex or irregularly shaped volcanic craters such as the Hadriaca Patera and Tyrrhena Patera. However, despite its name …. Source  : Martian ‘enigmatic elliptical depression’ baffles scientists.

New hope for restoring hearing loss in adults

WASHINGTON – Scientists are exploring new avenues for restoring hearing loss in adults.

Researchers have tracked a cell-to-cell signalling pathway that designates the future location of the ear’s sensory organs in embryonic mice. The scientists succeeded in activating this signal more widely …. Read the original article  : New hope for restoring hearing loss in adults.

Fertilizer chemicals harm reproductive functions of water organisms

WASHINGTON – North Carolina State University toxicologists have found that fertilizer chemicals pose danger to creatures that live in water.

The NC State researchers show that water fleas take up nitrates and nitrites and convert those chemicals into nitric oxide, which in turn causes developmental and reproductive problems – even at low concentrations.

“There’s only limited evidence … Original article on : Fertilizer chemicals harm reproductive functions of water organisms.

Tiny Gulf sea creature could shed light on impact of oil spill

WASHINGTON – A University of Alabama molecular biologist plans to collect sea anemones that live in Gulf Coast waters back to his lab in order to better understand the impact of the oil spill on marine life.

Dr. Matthew Jenny will be analysing the tiny creatures, which are related to the corals that build ocean reefs.

“We … Read more >>>.

Facebook alternative Diaspora to be launched on Sept 15

LONDON – Diaspora, an open alternative to Facebook, is set to be launched, say developers of the project.

Diaspora, which describes itself, as a “privacy-aware, personally-controlled” social network will be launched on 15 September.

The open-source project came into the limelight earlier this year when Facebook was forced to simplify its privacy settings, after they were criticised … Read more »»».

Revolutionary new way to treat eye cancer may prevent blindness

WASHINGTON – Treating eye cancer often requires radiation that leaves half of all patients partially blind. But a revolutionary new technique may change all that.

Scott Oliver from the University of Colorado School of Medicine Oliver has discovered that silicone oil applied inside the eye can block up to 55 percent of harmful radiation, enough to …. Source  : Revolutionary new way to treat eye cancer may prevent blindness.

WikiLeaks founder’s son says his dad is awful with women

NEW YORK – Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s son posted on Facebook that his father has a lot of women who are his enemies.

Daniel Assange, 21, made the comment after two Swedish women came forward with allegations that led to rape and molestation charges against his dad.

“That man does have a way of making a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : WikiLeaks founder’s son says his dad is awful with women.

Mars Close To Earth Tonight Was A Hoax

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- Mars coming close to Earth and appearing as big as moon on Friday night was just another hoax that went viral on the web. The Mars close to Earth hoax, that claimed that the Red planet will be coming so close to earth that it will appear just like yet another … Read more »»».

Bharatpur bird sanctuary to get water – finally

JAIPUR – The famous Bharatpur bird sanctuary, which has been losing its winged visitors due to an acute shortage of water, is set to get a new lease of life, with the Rajasthan government finally releasing water from a dam.

Moved by the gravity of the situation, the government Friday released water from the Panchna Dam … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bharatpur bird sanctuary to get water – finally.

Solar max ‘gloom and doom’ claims overstated: Expert

MELBOURNE – All the hype about how disastrous the solar max could be for the entire power grid of Earth is unnecessary, a leading astronomer from Australia has said.

But Dr Phil Wilkinson, assistant director with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s Ionospheric Prediction Service, said that the claims that this coming solar maximum will be the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Solar max ‘gloom and doom’ claims overstated: Expert.

Soon, solar-power ‘Seaswarm’ robots to clean up oil spills in 30 days

WASHINGTON – Scientists may soon bring in a swarm of solar-powered robots to clean up Gulf oil-type spills in a record time of 30 days.

The robots, named ‘Seaswarm’, are being developed at MIT and incorporate oil-absorbing nanomaterial created by MIT professor Francesco Stellacci.

The Seaswarm robot prototype is 16 feet long by 7 feet wide and … Read : Soon, solar-power ‘Seaswarm’ robots to clean up oil spills in 30 days.

Soon, plant-based sunscreens that may prevent skin cancer

WASHINGTON – Scientists are exploring natural, plant-based agents that could be used in manufacturing skin cancer-preventing sunscreens.

Scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio report that certain plant substances, which occur naturally in grapes, berries, walnuts and a number of other plant-based foods, were tested on mice.

These mice had been genetically manipulated … Read more »».

Double meteorite strike ‘led to dinosaur extinction’

LONDON – A new study has suggested that dinosaurs were killed 65 million years ago by at least two meteorite impacts, rather than a single strike.

Previously, it was thought that the Chicxulub Crater in the Gulf of Mexico lead to the extinction of dinosaurs from the earth. But now evidence for a second impact in …. Source  : Double meteorite strike ‘led to dinosaur extinction’.

Bigger dogs may be smarter than their smaller counterparts

WASHINGTON – Size might matter after all, for a new study shows that bigger dogs may be smarter than their smaller counterparts.

According to Discovery News, researchers in New Zealand have hypothesized that a wider set of eyes in big canines gives them better depth perception. As a result, they can more easily discern the direction …. Read the original article  : Bigger dogs may be smarter than their smaller counterparts.

400-year-old letter reveals ‘lost’ native Peruvian language

WASHINGTON – A 400 year-old letter found in the ruins of an ancient Spanish colonial church in 2008 has revealed a previously unknown Peruvian native language.

The letter was found during excavations of the Magdalena de Cao Viejo church at the El Brujo Archaeological Complex in northern Peru.

It showed that an early 17th-century Spanish author …. Source article  : 400-year-old letter reveals ‘lost’ native Peruvian language.

Cloudy day ahead in Delhi, rains likely

NEW DELHI – Cloudy skies and rains in some parts of the city — that’s what Saturday is likely to see in Delhi, a weather official said.

“The skies will be partly cloudy and some parts of the capital will experience thunderstorm and rains,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
Delhi recorded a …. Read the original article  : Cloudy day ahead in Delhi, rains likely.

Shimla’s historic Ridge develops cracks

SHIMLA – The historic Ridge, which was the only promenade for the British colonial rulers when Shimla was their summer capital and rests on the city’s water supply system, is buckling under human pressure and heavy rains.

Around 40 metres of the Ridge in front of the famous Gaiety Theatre has caved in. The portion … Original article on : Shimla’s historic Ridge develops cracks.

EPA denies environmental groups’ petition to ban lead in hunting ammunition

EPA denies bid to ban lead in hunting ammunition

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday denied a petition by five environmental groups to ban lead in hunting ammunition, saying the issue is not within the agency’s jurisdiction.
The EPA said it did not have the authority to enact the ban, aimed at protecting wildlife, under … Read : EPA denies environmental groups’ petition to ban lead in hunting ammunition.

Trucking group to appeal court ruling permitting Los Angeles port to enforce anti-smog policy

Truckers to appeal ruling for LA anti-smog program

LOS ANGELES – Environmentalists on Friday hailed a federal judge’s ruling that allows the nation’s largest port to enforce anti-smog rules on big rigs that haul goods in and out.
The case involving the Port of Los Angeles is being watched by ports around the nation that are implementing … Read more : Trucking group to appeal court ruling permitting Los Angeles port to enforce anti-smog policy.