New Parkinson’s gene linked to immune system

LONDON – Scientists have found a new genetic link associated with Parkinson’s disease that implicates the immune system and offers new targets for drug development.

Johns Hopkins researchers from the Center for Inherited Disease Research confirmed that a gene in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region was strongly linked with Parkinson’s disease; this region contains a … Read : New Parkinson’s gene linked to immune system.

Hackers perform first ‘invisible attack’ on quantum cryptographic systems

LONDON – Hackers have performed the first ‘invisible’ attack on two commercial quantum cryptographic systems.

They have fully cracked their encryption keys using lasers on the systems, without leaving any trace of the hack.

Quantum cryptography is based on the principle that you cannot make measurements of a quantum system without disturbing it.

“Our hack gave 100 percent …. Read the original article  : Hackers perform first ‘invisible attack’ on quantum cryptographic systems.

New method to analyse complete human genome in one go

LONDON – Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Charite Universitatsmedizin – Berlin have succeeded in using a new process with which all of the genes in the human genome can be analysed at the same time.

The process was used for the first time on … Original article on : New method to analyse complete human genome in one go.

Understanding gene-environment interaction for a psychosis model

WASHINGTON – Psychotic disorders vary greatly across places and demographic groups, as do symptoms, course, and treatment response across individuals.

This, in combination with progress in the area of molecular genetics, has generated interest in more complicated models of schizophrenia aetiology that explicitly posit gene-environment interactions.

According to twin and family studies more than half of the …. Original source  : Understanding gene-environment interaction for a psychosis model.

First genetic link to common migraine found

WASHINGTON – In a first of its kind study, scientists have traced genetic risk associated with migraine attacks, which might make it possible for the novel therapeutics to prevent migraine attacks.

Researchers looked at the genetic data of more than 50,000 people.

The team found that patients with a particular DNA variant on Chromosome 8 between two … Read more : First genetic link to common migraine found.

Nasca Lines may be map of underground water sources: Expert

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that Nasca lines which are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert of Peru, may be a giant map of the underground water sources traced on the land, says expert.

The Nasca Lines are located in the Peruvian desert, about 200 miles south of Lima.

The …. Source  : Nasca Lines may be map of underground water sources: Expert.

Apple genome could lead to better apples

LONDON – Scientists have apparently drafted a genome sequence of apple that may help in improving the quality of apple production.

The availability of a genome sequence for apple will allow scientists to more rapidly identify which genes provide desirable characteristics to the fruit and which genes and gene variants provide disease or drought resistance [..] Read the original article: here.

New drug could reduce heart failure risk by 25pct

SYDNEY – A new drug that can lower the chance of a heart failure by 25 percent could bring substantial changes to standard treatment, according to a new research.

The drug, ivabradine, lowered heart rate to an average 65 beats a minute from a starting point of 80, compared with a reduction to 75 beats in …. Read the original article  : here.

Culprit behind severe allergic asthma discovered

LONDON – Researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have identified the key culprit behind severe asthma-like symptoms in mice.

The disease can be triggered in susceptible people by a variety of environmental contaminants – such as cigarette smoke, allergens and airborne pollution.

Dr. Marsha Wills-Karp and her colleagues have identified the pro-inflammatory protein, interleukin-17 (IL-17A), as … Read : Culprit behind severe allergic asthma discovered.

Apples with extra healthy punch on the way

LONDON – Scientists have cracked the genetic code for Golden Delicious, a variety of apple, that paves the way to crunchier, juicier, healthier fruits.

The breakthrough is already being used to breed red-hued apples with more anti-oxidants, known for a host of health benefits.
Researcher Roger Hellens of New Zealand firm Plant & Food Research … Read : Apples with extra healthy punch on the way.

Delhiites sweat, met office says rains likely

NEW DELHI – Delhiites continued to sweat for another day Monday with high humidity levels and the minimum temperature two degrees above the average. The weather office said light showers were expected in some pockets of the capital.

The maximum humidity was on the higher side at 97 percent while the minimum was 72 percent. …. Source  : Delhiites sweat, met office says rains likely.

Man eater squids devouring fish stock in Pacific

LONDON – Millions of giant squids have been devouring fish stock and attacking humans in the Pacific Ocean, causing potential threat to marine ecosystem.

Monster squid are the stuff of legend. But for fishermen and marine biologists along 10,000 miles of coast from Chile to Alaska, the myth has become reality. And their story is told …. Source  : Man eater squids devouring fish stock in Pacific.

Emmy Countdown: Fans wait in bleachers to see stars

Emmy Countdown: Fans wait to see stars
LOS ANGELES – Those who glide down the Emmy Awards’ red carpet are in designer dresses, designer jewelry and designer shoes, or tuxedos.

But in the bleachers, it’s a different story. There, the dress code is flip flops, shorts and sun screen.
Lucky fans with bleachers’ tickets checked in near the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Emmy Countdown: Fans wait in bleachers to see stars.

WWII tanker torpedoed near California’s Central Coast may still pose environmental threat

WWII tanker off Calif. coast may still pose threat

SAN FRANCISCO – A tanker ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II near California’s scenic Central Coast may still represent a danger to the environment, according to scientists investigating the rusting hulk.
The 440-foot Montebello has been lying under 900 feet of water, four miles …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : WWII tanker torpedoed near California’s Central Coast may still pose environmental threat.

Obama pledging common purpose with New Orleans and Gulf coast on 5th anniversary of Katrina

Obama visits New Orleans on Katrina anniversary
NEW ORLEANS – President Barack Obama celebrated New Orleans’s revival from Hurricane Katrina on Sunday in a visit symbolizing common purpose with residents in the continuing struggle to protect and rebuild the Gulf Coast.
The president visited a local institution in the once-flooded midcity, the Parkway Bakery and … Read more >>.

Record gold prices draw hundreds of small miners, pose big threat to South American rainforest

Gold rush is growing threat to Suriname rainforest

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – It looks like a meteor strike: From out of nowhere, a huge clearing appears in the jungle – a deep rust-colored pit surrounded by mounds of dirt and thick stands of trees pushed to the side in dense piles of overturned soil.
But this is no …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Record gold prices draw hundreds of small miners, pose big threat to South American rainforest.

Bolivian biologists finish rescue of 12 pink river dolphins

Bolivia finishes rescue of 12 pink river dolphins

LA PAZ, Bolivia – Bolivian biologists say they have finished rescuing 12 pink, freshwater dolphins who were trapped in a river.
Rescue team member Mariana Escobar says the six-day effort to free the dolphins finished on Thursday.
The animals had swum from their normal home in the Rio Grande into … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Bolivian biologists finish rescue of 12 pink river dolphins.

Hot day in Delhi, rains expected

NEW DELHI – Delhi experienced a hot and humid Sunday with the day’s temperature above the average level. The weather office has forecast rain in the capital Monday.

Delhi recorded a maximum of 35 degrees Celsius, a notch above the average while the minimum settled at 27.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees above the average for this …. Source article  : Hot day in Delhi, rains expected.

Russia, China agree to save tigers, leopards

Moscow, Aug 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia and China Sunday signed an agreement for setting up a trans-border wildlife reserve to save the endangered Siberian tiger and Amur leopard.

The agreement was sealed in northwestern China. Both countries agreed to step up an information exchange, synchronise monitoring over the populations of these animals, conduct joint research and … Original article on : Russia, China agree to save tigers, leopards.

Mongolian Cabinet holds meeting in Gobi desert to draw attention to climate change

Mongolian Cabinet holds meeting in Gobi desert

GASHUUNII KHOOLOI, Mongolia – Top Mongolian officials donned dark green baseball caps reading “Save our planet” and set up chairs and tables in the sands of the Gobi desert for a Cabinet meeting aimed at drawing attention to climate change.
The meeting of 12 government ministers was held in scorching …. Read the original article  : Mongolian Cabinet holds meeting in Gobi desert to draw attention to climate change.