Female tree frogs look for males with longer, more frequent mating calls

WASHINGTON – The mating call of the male red-eyed tree frog tells the female everything she needs to know, and it’s the rate, frequency, and duration of these calls that determines who the mate would be, according to a new study.

The author recorded 575 mating calls from 30 male tree frogs in the Cayo District … Read more >>>.

Novel test may lead to custom-tailored quitting approaches for smokers

WASHINGTON – A new test being developed could now pinpoint smoke deliveries of select chemicals that an individual smoker consumes on a per cigarette basis.

Scientists said that it provides a much more accurate estimate of exposure than using automated cigarette smoking machines to estimate mainstream smoke deliveries, which traditionally have been used.

“Historically, our knowledge … Read more : Novel test may lead to custom-tailored quitting approaches for smokers.

Tweens find Internet ‘a source of happiness’

SYDNEY – Tweens are a lot more adept at using Internet and find it a source of happiness, new research has shown.

The Tween Tracker survey showed that almost half of the 1200 children interviewed have Facebook profiles.

Social media expert Laurel Papworth describes Facebook as the online equivalent of a “keep out, I mean it!” sign … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Tweens find Internet ‘a source of happiness’.

Groundbreaking surgery lets Scottish man live pain-free

LONDON – A Scottish patient suffering from both multiple sclerosis (MS) and dystonia for the last 15 years has been given a new lease of life with a groundbreaking surgery that will now let him live pain free.

Sandick Hanson has spent the last 15 years living with both multiple sclerosis (MS) and dystonia, leaving him … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Groundbreaking surgery lets Scottish man live pain-free.

Yamuna receding but still above danger mark

NEW DELHI – A respite from the rains brought down the water level of the Yamuna river Sunday, though it is still flowing above the danger mark.

“The water level in the Yamuna has come down by 18 cm to 205.76 metres from Saturday’s 205.94 metres,” an Irrigation and Flood Control Department official told IANS. … Read more >>>.

Surgery ‘ups Alzheimer’s risk’

LONDON – A new study, conducted at Imperial College London, has revealed that patients who undergo major hospital operations could be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Experiments conducted on mice revealed changes in their brains, similar to those observed in humans with dementia, when the animals are operated on.

The researchers suspect the same … Read more : Surgery ‘ups Alzheimer’s risk’.

Now, a test to predict Caesarean need

LONDON – Researchers in Sweden has developed a new test which could stop women labouring for hours in the hope of a “normal” birth only to end up with a Caesarean section.

They have established that when high levels of lactic acid are measured in the amniotic fluid, it is unlikely the mother will deliver vaginally.

Measuring …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, a test to predict Caesarean need.

Oz scientists’ theory brings invisibility cloaks closer to reality

LONDON – University of Sydney researchers have combined techniques used to produce light-bending metamaterials with those used to make optical fibres to try and create real invisible threads.

Alessandro Tuniz is interested in the optical metamaterials that are being fashioned into “invisibility cloaks” in labs across the world.

According to the New Scientist, these metamaterials can …. Source  : Oz scientists’ theory brings invisibility cloaks closer to reality.

Over nine million Britons never use internet

LONDON – More than nine million adults in Britain have never used the internet, says a survey.

The elderly, widowed and people in lower economic strata were less likely to be net savvy, says the the survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
A ‘digital divide’ in the country is being feared if millions … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Over nine million Britons never use internet.

Eating more omega-3 fats doesn’t help heart attack patients who get good care, study finds

Study: More omega-3 fats didn’t aid heart patients

NEW YORK – Eating more heart-healthy omega-3 fats provided no additional benefit in a study of heart attack survivors who were already getting good care, Dutch researchers report.
After nearly 3 1/2 years, there was no difference in deaths, heart attacks and other heart problems between those who ate …. Original source  : Eating more omega-3 fats doesn’t help heart attack patients who get good care, study finds.

‘Good’ bacteria in yoghurt may end your bed bug woes

LONDON – If there’s one thing that absolutely kills off a good sleep, it’s bed bugs, but now scientists have found a new way of getting rid of them – by using yoghurt.

Probiotic yoghurt has ‘friendly’ bacteria. So now scientists say that bed bugs can be wiped out by loading these good bacteria into the …. Source article  : ‘Good’ bacteria in yoghurt may end your bed bug woes.

Japan urges China to adopt better labor laws after widespread strikes, says more talks needed

Japan calls for transparent labor rules in China

BEIJING – Japan called for “transparent policies” governing workers in China, saying labor disputes that halted operations at dozens of factories this year were troubling to Japanese companies.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada brought up the issue at a high-level economic meeting between China and Japan – the world’s second …. Source  : Japan urges China to adopt better labor laws after widespread strikes, says more talks needed.

Humid day in Delhi, rains likely

NEW DELHI – Delhi experienced a muggy Sunday morning as the humidity levels were high. The weatherman said parts of the city could see some showers later in the day.

“The skies will be cloudy with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers in some parts of the city,” said an official of the Indian … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Humid day in Delhi, rains likely.

Venezuelans protest rampant violence, some liken bloodshed to ‘undeclared war’

Venezuelans protest against unchecked violence

CARACAS, Venezuela – Opponents of President Hugo Chavez marched through Caracas on Saturday to protest rampant violence that claims thousands of lives each year in Venezuela and has been worsening in the past decade.
Protesters beat on drums and held signs with images of skulls and crossbones and slogans such as “Enough” …. Source  : Venezuelans protest rampant violence, some liken bloodshed to ‘undeclared war’.

Cash-strapped state parks eye corporate sponsorships; NH hooks up with outdoor apparel company

State parks explore corporate sponsorship
CONCORD, N.H. – Not every state park in New Hampshire includes a mountain, but all staffers might be wearing pictures of little peaks on their uniforms next summer thanks to a corporate sponsorship the state is exploring with Eastern Mountain Sports.

Faced with widening budget gaps, numerous states are reaching out to …. Read the original article  : here.

Younger activists help older generation change tactics to fight new nuclear power push

Older activists, younger crowd team to fight nukes
DES MOINES, Iowa – It’s been 33 years since Raye Fleming’s arrest outside Southern California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, near the height of the anti-nuclear power furor.
That was the first arrest of many and, Fleming believed, such actions paid off as a generation of Americans turned …. Original article  : Younger activists help older generation change tactics to fight new nuclear power push.

Companies clamor for Congress to extend grant that propped up renewable power in recession

Cash grant that propped up alt power due to expire
BOISE, Idaho – The wind always seems to blow on the Snake River plain, keeping this high-desert landscape of sage, potatoes and sugarbeet plants forever in motion.
Still, General Electric Co. executives said the consistent gusts weren’t enough for them to take a majority stake …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Companies clamor for Congress to extend grant that propped up renewable power in recession.

No rain in cloudy Delhi

NEW DELHI – A cloud cover remained over Delhi throughout Saturday, a day on which the maximum temperature remained a notch above the average and high humidity led to sticky and uncomfortable conditions.

“It was cloudy the whole day,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to a met official, the … Original article on : No rain in cloudy Delhi.

‘Man-killer’ tiger to be tranquilised

LUCKNOW – A male tiger, which is believed to be responsible for eight human killings in Uttar Pradesh since May, has been formally declared “man-killer” and will be tranquilised soon, an official said Saturday.

Taking into account the pattern of the six human killings in the Deoria forest range in Pilibhit district, some 250 km from …. Source  : ‘Man-killer’ tiger to be tranquilised.

Sodium MRI offers new insights into detecting osteoarthritis

WASHINGTON – Scientists have offered a non-invasive method to diagnose osteoarthritis in its very early stages.

Researchers at New York University have developed an innovative way to look at the development of osteoarthritis in the knee joint-one that relies on the examination of sodium … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sodium MRI offers new insights into detecting osteoarthritis.