Delving deeper into the relationship between youth and digital culture

WASHINGTON – A new thesis explores the relationship between Internet and today’s youth, and how they learn and socialise through new technologies.

Sociologist Luc???a Merino at the University of the Basque Country emphasised that the digital generation takes new technologies as something natural and use them intuitively.

Thanks to this relationship of normality, young people have, moreover, … Read more »»».

New ‘pigment noise’ technology could identify century-old colours

WASHINGTON – Identifying the composition of pigments in century-old artworks could be made easier soon, with the discovery of a new technology called photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy.

The chemical composition of pigments is important to know, because it enables museums and restorers to know how the paints will react to sunlight and temperature changes, so that adequate … Original article on : New ‘pigment noise’ technology could identify century-old colours.

Bee decline could slash food output, finds study

LONDON – The double impact of decline in bee numbers and global warming is not only cutting down plant pollination but will also badly impact global food output.

In fact, pollination levels of some plants may have steeply dropped by 50 percent over the last two decades, which could slash crop yields.
The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bee decline could slash food output, finds study.

‘Jailbreak’ bacteria can cause heart disease

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that plaque-causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack.

Professor Howard Jenkinson, from the University of Bristol explains how oral bacteria …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Jailbreak’ bacteria can cause heart disease.

Farmlands hacked out of tropical forests, finds study

WASHINGTON – More than half a million square miles of new farmland – an area as big as Alaska – was created in the developing world between 1980 and 2000.

More than 80 percent of such farmland was hacked out of tropical forests which sends carbon into the atmosphere and drives global warming, according to Stanford …. Read the original article  : Farmlands hacked out of tropical forests, finds study.

Toyota Prius is best-selling car in Japan for August, 16th month in a row, but sales may fade

Toyota Prius top-selling car in Japan for August

TOKYO – Toyota’s Prius was the top selling car in Japan during August for the 16th straight month, as incentives for green vehicles continued to boost sales of the hybrid.
The Prius, Toyota Motor Corp.’s best-selling gasoline-gas hybrid, sold 22,263 of the cars during the month, enough to secure …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Toyota Prius is best-selling car in Japan for August, 16th month in a row, but sales may fade.

Climate change may lead to decline in bee pollination

WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals may also lead to decline in pollination.

A recent University of Toronto study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor.

“Bee … Original article on : Climate change may lead to decline in bee pollination.

New plant-mimicking photovoltaic cells that self-repair sun damage

LONDON – MIT scientists have developed new self-assembling photovoltaic technology that can not only mimic a plant’s ability to convert sunlight into energy but also repair itself from damage that occurs due to constant sunlight.

Sunlight leads to a gradual degradation of many systems developed to harness …. Read the original article  : here.

New discovery could stop stem-cell loss during cancer therapy

LONDON – Loss of stem cells during chemotherapy or radiation therapy is the main side effect for human cancer patients, leading to anaemia, appetite and weight loss. But a new discovery could change that soon.

The loss of adult stem cells is particularly dangerous, as they … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New discovery could stop stem-cell loss during cancer therapy.

Why bird flu didn’t become a pandemic

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that why irrespective of the 2005 outbreak of the H5N1 ‘bird flu’ virus in South East Asia, it didn’t’ turn into a pandemic.

Scientists have shown why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely.

They have also provided a … Read more »».

World’s toughest bacterium discovered

WASHINGTON – It seems scientists have discovered the world’s toughest bacterium, which can survive massive exposures to gamma-radiation, ultraviolet radiation, desiccation, and other agents that kill cells by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Michael J. Daly of Uniformed Services University and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : World’s toughest bacterium discovered.

Longer is definitely better

WASHINGTON – Why would you choose a 5000 year-old painting better over a 100-year-old? You would most probably believe the older, the better – which seems to be a rule of thumb when it comes to deciding the worth of something, says a new study.

“The length of time something has been established seems to serve … Original source on Gaea Times at : Longer is definitely better.

Tar balls from Goa beaches to be incinerated

PANAJI – Tonnes of slimy tar balls which have been washed ashore to Goa’s famed beaches over the last week will now be collected and sent to oil refinery for incineration.

“The Coast Guard, navy, as well as marine scientists were being roped in to brainstorm and come up with ways to curb the tar … Read : Tar balls from Goa beaches to be incinerated.

Another rainy day in Delhi, more showers likely

NEW DELHI – Monday morning saw heavy, incessant rains in Delhi, causing waterlogging that slowed down traffic in many areas. The weatherman said there would be more showers as the day progressed.

“Skies will be cloudy with rains and thundershowers in some pockets of the city. One or two spells may be heavy in some areas,” …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Another rainy day in Delhi, more showers likely.

Flicker of trouble? Backyard volunteers help scientists track possible firefly decline

Backyard volunteers helping track firefly numbers

INDIANAPOLIS – The yellow-green streaks of fireflies that bring a magical air to summer nights, inspire camp songs and often end up in jars in children’s bedrooms may be flickering out in the nation’s backyards as suburban sprawl encroaches on their habitats.
Scientists concerned by reports from the public that they … Original article on : Flicker of trouble? Backyard volunteers help scientists track possible firefly decline.

California once a leader in waste-to-energy technology has fallen behind the rest of the world

Greenest state behind the waste-to-energy race

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Government officials from around the world used to come to this port city to catch a glimpse of the future: Two-story piles of trash would disappear into a furnace and eventually be transformed into electricity to power thousands of homes.
Nowadays, it’s U.S. officials going to Canada, … Read more : California once a leader in waste-to-energy technology has fallen behind the rest of the world.

New ways to kill wolves sought despite species’ return to endangered list

Endangered or not, wolf killings set to expand

BILLINGS, Mont. – Government agencies are seeking broad new authority to ramp up killings and removals of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes, despite two recent court actions that restored the animal’s endangered status in every state except Alaska and Minnesota.
Various proposals would gas pups [..] Read the original article: here.

Sporadic rains lash Delhi, more to come

NEW DELHI – Delhiites experienced a pleasant and wet Sunday with sporadic rains lashing the city throughout the day and once again flooding the low-lying areas.

The capital received 46.8 mm of rain from Saturday morning till Sunday 5.30 p.m., the weatherman said.
The rains brought along the usual problem of waterlogging and traffic …. Original source  : Sporadic rains lash Delhi, more to come.

Parents’ preference for nutritious food withers when buying for kids

WASHINGTON – New research shows that parents’ preference for nutritious foods goes down to 50 percent when they’re selecting products for the kids, rather than for themselves.

The likely explanation is that parents give in at the grocery store compromising their preferences based on what they believe their children will accept, said study author Irwin Levin …. Source article  : Parents’ preference for nutritious food withers when buying for kids.

Mass extinctions “change evolution rules”

WASHINGTON – A new study from Macquarie University has analyzed why global mass extinctions occur – whether they are just short-term diversions in life’s preordained course, or spring up completely new paths of evolution.

“Mass extinction fundamentally changes the dynamics. It changes the composition of the biosphere forever. You can’t simply predict the winners and losers …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mass extinctions “change evolution rules”.