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.

NASA’s new chatty robot astronaut is a regular on Facebook and Twitter

MELBOURNE – NASA’s latest nut-and-bolt invention Robonaut 2 is quite a piece of work – the first humanoid robot set to blast into space is a regular on Facebook and Twitter, keeping his fans updated about his space journey.

Robonaut 2 will live aboard the International Space Station and perform tasks “too dangerous or too boring” … Original article on : NASA’s new chatty robot astronaut is a regular on Facebook and Twitter.

Networks, not size, determine cities’ economic prosperity

WASHINGTON – A city’s well-connected networks play a role in its economic prosperity and not its size, says a new study.

Michigan State University sociologist Zachary Neal found that the rise of commercial aviation, high-speed rail, the Internet and other technological advances have allowed smaller cities to compete with urban powers such as New York and [..] Read the original article: here.

Is it possible to predict future climate change?

WASHINGTON – Climate change is a topic for hot debate across countries right now, but is it possible to predict future climate change?

Researchers at Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen said that climate change probably occurs as a result of different chaotic influences and as a result would be difficult to predict.

The most … Original article on : Is it possible to predict future climate change?.

BP Gulf disaster’s effects: Anger, despair and helplessness

WASHINGTON – The catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has caused some serious psychological responses – anger, depression and helplessness being the most pronounced.

The widespread anger is just another way of masking the really unfathomable and profound despair that has erupted after the spill of millions of gallons of oil into … Read more : BP Gulf disaster’s effects: Anger, despair and helplessness.

Older people ‘enjoy reading negative stories about young adults’

Washington, August 31 (ANI): A new study has suggested that when given a choice, older people prefer to read negative news, rather than positive news, about young adults.

Older people, have greater certainty regarding their identity. However, living in a youth-centered culture, they may appreciate a boost in self-esteem. That’s why they prefer the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Older people ‘enjoy reading negative stories about young adults’.

Multiple sclerosis activity ‘can increase during spring and summer months’

WASHINGTON – Multiple sclerosis (MS) activity can increase during spring and summer months, shows new research.

“Our results showed that the appearance of lesions on brain scans was two to three times higher in the months of March to August, compared to other months of the year,” said study author Dominik Meier, of Brigham and Women’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Older adults more likely to have ‘destination amnesia’

WASHINGTON – Older adults are more prone to forgetting whom they they’ve shared or not shared information with – a condition called ‘destination amnesia’ – reveals a new study.

Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute researchers found that elders are more likely to suffer from this condition than youngster. What’s more, after making these memory errors, they remain …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Older adults more likely to have ‘destination amnesia’.

Pouty photos, endless status updates on Facebook indicate ‘narcissism’

MELBOURNE – If you are obsessed with your status updates and picture uploads on Facebook, you are probable an online narcissist, says a new research.

Researchers at Canada’s York University said that this obsessive updating on Facebook is related to egotism and low self-esteem.

“They probably show that narcissist trait offline as well, but online, they update … Read more >>.

How eyes move when mind wanders while reading

WASHINGTON – Eye movements can indicate if you zone out while reading, says a new study.

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh recorded eye movements during reading and found that the eyes keep moving when the mind wanders-but they don’t move in the same way as they do when you’re paying attention.

In the study, when … Original article on : How eyes move when mind wanders while reading.

‘Stocky dragon’ dino was a terrifying predator of Late Cretaceous Europe

WASHINGTON – Palaeontologists have discovered a new species of dinosaur called Balaur bondoc that hunted the dwarfed inhabitants of Late Cretaceous Europe.

Balaur bondoc means ’stocky dragon’ (Balaur from an archaic Romanian term for dragon, bondoc meaning stocky), according palaeontologists from University of Bucharest and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).

“While we would expect that …. Original article  : ‘Stocky dragon’ dino was a terrifying predator of Late Cretaceous Europe.

Humans feasted to celebrate burials of their dead 12,000 years ago

WASHINGTON – Remains of an ancient Israeli burial site has offered new evidence that nearly 12,000 years ago, feasts were used to celebrate burial of the dead, bringing about the world’s first established communities, says a University of Connecticut (UConn) anthropologist.

UConn Associate Professor of Anthropology Natalie Munro and a team of scientists found clear … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Humans feasted to celebrate burials of their dead 12,000 years ago.

A glass of milk takes garlic breath away!

LONDON – Scientists say the best way to combat garlic’s lingering odour is to have a glass of milk.

Drinking milk was found to reduce garlic breath when even brushing your teeth doesn’t work.

In tests with raw and cooked cloves, milk was shown to ‘ significantly reduce’ concentrations of the chemicals that give garlic its long-lasting … Original article on : A glass of milk takes garlic breath away!.

Now, romance your virtual girlfriend on an iPhone or a Nintendo DS!

WASHINGTON – A Japanese beach-resort has come up with a novel idea where tourists can enjoy the evening sunset – with a virtual girlfriend.

Atami, a Pacific coast resort southwest of the metropolis, has attracted many men this year who are armed with their iPhones and Nintendo DS consoles, ready to spend some quality time with …. Original article  : Now, romance your virtual girlfriend on an iPhone or a Nintendo DS!.

Why emotionally disturbed people like to hurt themselves physically

WASHINGTON – A new study has found why it is that people suffering from emotional stress are so prone to cutting or burning themselves.

Individuals with borderline personality disorder experience intense emotions and display high prevalence rates of self-injurious behavior, which may help them to reduce negative emotional states.

Niedtfeld and colleagues used pictures to induce negative, … Original article on : Why emotionally disturbed people like to hurt themselves physically.

Dry day ahead for Delhi

NEW DELHI – The skies over Delhi were overcast Tuesday but the weather office predicted a dry day ahead.

“The sky will remain cloudy though rains may not occur,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department.
Many residents were relieved with the break from heavy rains and the inevitable fallout — waterlogging and traffic … Original article on : Dry day ahead for Delhi.

Cities owe competitive advantage to technology, not size

WASHINGTON – Smaller cities can now compete with huge metros like New York and Chicago, thanks to advances in technology. The rise of commercial aviation, high-speed rail, the internet and other technological advances have helped smaller cities give their much bigger counterparts a run for their money.

“Fifty years ago, no one would have thought … Original article on : Cities owe competitive advantage to technology, not size.

Rare whale rescued off Maui dies after 2 weeks at Hawaii dolphin and whale hospital

Rare whale rescued off Maui dies after 2 weeks

HONOLULU – A rare deep diving whale rescued from a Maui beach earlier this month has died after spending two weeks at a dolphin and whale hospital on Hawaii’s Big Island, federal officials said Monday.
A necropsy showed the male Blainville’s beaked whale had moderate pneumonia, a severe …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rare whale rescued off Maui dies after 2 weeks at Hawaii dolphin and whale hospital.

65-carat gem uncovered at NC farm described as largest cut emerald found in North America

NC farm produces emerald shaped into massive gem

RALEIGH, N.C. – An emerald so large it’s being compared with the crown jewels of Russian empress Catherine the Great was pulled from a pit near corn rows at a North Carolina farm.
The nearly 65-carat emerald its finders are marketing by the name Carolina Emperor was pulled from … Read more »»».

Rodents, bugs, other unsanitary conditions found at 2 Iowa farms where eggs have been recalled

Rodents, other contamination found at 2 egg farms

WASHINGTON – Food and Drug Administration investigators have found rodents, seeping manure and even maggots at the Iowa egg farms believed to be responsible for as many as 1,500 cases of salmonella poisoning.
FDA officials released their initial observations of the investigations at Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms … Read more »».

As US grapples with resurgence of bedbugs, authorities fret over misuse of harmful pesticides

US grapples with bedbugs, misuse of pesticides

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A resurgence of bedbugs across the U.S. has homeowners and apartment dwellers taking desperate measures to eradicate the tenacious bloodsuckers, with some relying on dangerous outdoor pesticides and fly-by-night exterminators.
The problem has gotten so bad that the Environmental Protection Agency warned this month against the indoor … Read : As US grapples with resurgence of bedbugs, authorities fret over misuse of harmful pesticides.

Busted growers mistake Calif. game wardens for suppliers, try to toss pot in truck

Busted pot growers mistake wardens for suppliers

RED BLUFF, Calif. – California wildlife officials say two men are in custody after a group of marijuana growers started to toss bags full of pot into a pickup truck belonging to game wardens they mistook for their suppliers.
State Department of Fish and Game spokesman Pat Foy says two … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Busted growers mistake Calif. game wardens for suppliers, try to toss pot in truck.

Car’s front seats safer than back seats

SYDNEY – Front seats are safer than rear seats in a car, thanks to the addition of new safety features over the years.

“We could save more lives and prevent more injuries if we paid the same attention to the rear seat of cars as we have to the front seat,” says University of New South … Read : Car’s front seats safer than back seats.

Online viewing fast making TV couch potatoes history

LONDON – It seems the days of the couch potato have come to an end, as large number of TV viewers are watching their favourite shows online without having to be forced to waiting for them in front of the Idiot Box.

A study has found that more than one in three … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Online viewing fast making TV couch potatoes history.

Mothers aid mating success of male bonobos

WASHINGTON – In a study on bonobos, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology have found that the presence of mothers enhances the mating success of their sons and thereby causes mating to be more evenly distributed among the males

A team of researchers led … Original article on : Mothers aid mating success of male bonobos.

Mosquitoes use different odour sensors to track human prey

WASHINGTON – Malaria mosquito apparently relies on a battery of different types of odour sensors to mediate its most critical behaviours, including how to choose and locate their blood-meal hosts, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University.

In a new …. Original article  : Mosquitoes use different odour sensors to track human prey.

Why females fare better than males after traumatic injury

WASHINGTON – A new study has discovered why females fare better than males after traumatic injury.

In the study, Dr. Ed W. Childs and colleagues at Scott and White Healthcare looked at how female versus male rats fared after suffering a trauma and …. Read the original article  : here.

5,000-year-old village ruins found in China

BEIJING – Archaeologists in China have found the ruins of two 5,000-year-old villages in Mongolia.

The ruins in Hamin’aile village in Tongliao city in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been identified as possibly originating from Hongshan culture, dating back 5,000 years, said Ji Ping, a researcher at the Institute of Cultural and Historical Relics and Archaeology. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Human activity has caused shellfish size to increase: Study

WASHINGTON – A species of shellfish widely consumed in the Pacific over the past 3,000 years has increased in size despite, and possibly because of human activity in the area, says a new research.

“The trends we see in the archaeological record in regard to animal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Human activity has caused shellfish size to increase: Study.

India to study impact of mobile towers on birds, bees

NEW DELHI – India will study the harmful impact of mobile phone towers on birds and bees, with the environment ministry constituting a committee that is also tasked with formulating guidelines on their installation.

The 10-member committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) director Asad Rahmani and it will submit … Read more >>>.

Mums’ sleep quality during babies’ 1st months not good enough: Study

LONDON – A new US study has found that mothers do get sufficient sleep in their babies’ first few months, but it is not quality sleep.

Researchers from West Virginia University in Morgantown followed a group of new mothers and found, on average, the women got just over seven hours of sleep a night during their … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mums’ sleep quality during babies’ 1st months not good enough: Study.

Kids of gay and straight couples do equally well in school

WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that children to same sex parents have similar educational achievements as their peers growing in heterosexual household.

By mining data from the 2000 Census, Michael Rosenfeld of Stanford University has found that children of gay and straight couples do equally well in school.

According to the study nearly 7 percent …. Source article  : Kids of gay and straight couples do equally well in school.

Pi calculated to five trillion digits

LONDON – The value of Pi has been calculated to five trillion digits by a Japanese engineer who took 90 days to do it on a computer he made himself.

Fiftyfive-year-old Shigeru Kondo, who works as systems engineer for a food company based in northern Japan, broke the earlier record of 2.7 trillion digits that was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pi calculated to five trillion digits.

Starvation and sleep-deprivation may keep brain sharp

WASHINGTON – Stay hungry and sleep-deprived to stay sharp – that seems to be the idea, at least as far as fruit flies are concerned.

New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that, in fruit flies, being hungry may provide a way to stay awake without feeling groggy or mentally challenged.

The study showed that … Read : Starvation and sleep-deprivation may keep brain sharp.

How noise pollution affects marine life

WASHINGTON – An international team of researchers has developed an approach that integrates advanced computing, X-ray CT scanners, and modern computational methods that give a 3D simulated look inside the head of a Cuvier’s beaked whale, in a bid to understand the effects of noise pollution on marine life better.

San Diego State University, UC San …. Read the original article  : How noise pollution affects marine life.

Federal agents descend on egg farms at center of recall for second time

Federal agents descend on egg farms for 2nd time

WASHINGTON – Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, the two Iowa farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive egg recall, have been visited by federal agents again.
Spokeswomen for the farms said the agents who arrived Tuesday worked for the Food and Drug Administration. Bob …. Read the original article  : Federal agents descend on egg farms at center of recall for second time.

Music played through headphones can harm hearing: Study

WASHINGTON – A 24-year study of adolescent girls has revealed that music played through headphones too loud or too long might pose a significant risk to hearing.

The study involved 8,710 girls of lower socioeconomic status, whose average age was about 16. Their hearing was tested when they entered a residential facility in the U.S Northeast. … Read more >>>.

Calif. lawmakers reject ban on plastic shopping bags, which critics say are major pollutant

Calif. rejects ban on plastic shopping bags

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California lawmakers have rejected a bill seeking to ban plastic shopping bags, after a contentious debate over whether the state was going too far in trying to regulate personal choice.
It would have been the first statewide ban, although a few cities already prohibit their use.
The Democratic … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Calif. lawmakers reject ban on plastic shopping bags, which critics say are major pollutant.

‘Onion layer technology’ capacitor could power phone, laptop for days

WASHINGTON – Using the onion’s multi-layered design as inspiration, scientists have created a new super capacitor that is cheaper, more compact and powerful enough to power your laptop or phone for days at a stretch.

“If you open any computer, you will see a lot of these small, cylindrical round capacitors,” Discovery News quoted Vadym Mochalin … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Onion layer technology’ capacitor could power phone, laptop for days.

NASA, ATK successfully test largest and most powerful solid rocket motor

WASHINGTON – NASA and ATK Aerospace Systems have successfully completed a two-minute, full-scale test of the largest and most powerful solid rocket motor designed for flight.

The stationary firing of the first-stage development solid rocket motor, dubbed DM-2, was the most heavily instrumented solid rocket motor test in NASA history.

To verify the performance of new materials … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NASA, ATK successfully test largest and most powerful solid rocket motor.

India hunting for ship that dumped oil, which is coating famed Goa beaches with tar balls

Rogue ship dumps oil, coating famed Indian beaches

PANAJI, India – An unknown ship dumped tons of waste oil into the sea off western India, creating tar balls that were heaping on Goa’s famed beaches Wednesday, officials said.
Indian navy and coast guard vessels were trying to trace the ship that is believed to have dumped burnt … Original article on : India hunting for ship that dumped oil, which is coating famed Goa beaches with tar balls.

‘Lab on a chip’ micro rheometer to improve viscosity tests dramatically

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a miniature device that can make complex viscosity measurements on sample sizes as small as a few nanoliters.

The NIST rheometer could be a particularly valuable tool for biotechnologists studying minute quantities of complex materials that must function in confined spaces.

Viscosity, elasticity … Read more >>.

Dark silicon GreenDroid chip to boost smartphone battery life, performance

WASHINGTON – Researchers at University of California, San Diego are using “dark silicon” – the underused transistors in modern microprocessors – to improve smartphone efficiency.

Dark silicon refers to the huge swaths of silicon transistors on today’s chips that are underused because there is not enough power to utilize all the transistors at the same time.

The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Dark silicon GreenDroid chip to boost smartphone battery life, performance.

Oral supplements enhance Botox injection’s effects

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that consuming oral dietary supplements four days before receiving Botox injections made the toxin more effective in 93 percent of patients.

Dr. Charles Soparkar at The Methodist Hospital in Houston found that a dietary supplement of organic zinc and the enzyme phytase four days before receiving botulinum toxin injections …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Oral supplements enhance Botox injection’s effects.

Now, a ‘Star Trek’-style medical ‘tricorder’ to diagnose breast cancer

LONDON – A ‘Star Trek’-style medical “tricorder”, developed Brit scientists can diagnose diseases such as breast cancer in minutes.

The hand-held device analyses a patient’s blood, urine or saliva sample to indicate the presence of disease, much like the one used by Dr Leonard “Bones” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, a ‘Star Trek’-style medical ‘tricorder’ to diagnose breast cancer.

The art of making antibiotics is nearly 2000 years old

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered green fluorescence in Nubian skeletons indicating a tetracycline-labelled bone, a finding that shows that antibiotics were already in use nearly 2,000 years ago.

A chemical analysis of the bones of ancient Nubians showed they were regularly consuming tetracycline, most … Read : The art of making antibiotics is nearly 2000 years old.

Now, a satellite traffic cop to prevent space collisions

WASHINGTON – Although space collisions are rare, when they do happen, they leave a long-lasting impact. A coalition of satellite traffic cops, however, aims to prevent these episodes from occurring at all.

Tobias Nassif is the vice president of satellite …. Read the original article  : here.

Wonder conductors to keep your laptops and mobiles cooler

LONDON – It’s a common phenomenon for laptops and mobiles to become blisteringly hot after an hour or two of use, but a new wonder conductor could change all that.

In the past five years, physicists Charles Kane and Eugene Mele of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia have …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Wonder conductors to keep your laptops and mobiles cooler.

Bacteria can make gold nuggets

WASHINGTON – In a first of its kind study, Aussie researchers have found that bacterial biofilms can go on to create gold nuggets-a feta that could help prospectors use biosensors to zero-in on where clumps of the precious metal …. Read the original article  : Bacteria can make gold nuggets.

‘God did not create the universe’

LONDON – British physicist Stephen Hawking has said the creation of the universe was a result of the inevitable laws of physics and it did not need God’s help.

In his latest book titled “The Grand Design”, Hawking writes: “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. … Read more : ‘God did not create the universe’.

Images of successful people, not size 0 modes, make women eat less

LONDON – It’s not the much-hyped size zero of models that is behind the rising rates of bulimia and anorexia nervosa among women, but its the images of successful people contribute to such illnesses, regardless of how thin they are.

Studies have shown that media images contribute to the development of eating disorders.

To understand how, … Read : Images of successful people, not size 0 modes, make women eat less.

Brain exercises may be good initially, but speed up dementia later

WASHINGTON – Solving crossword puzzles and reading may do you good initially, but speed up dementia later in life, says a new study.

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago said that brain exercises might, at first, slow the decline of thinking skills but speed up dementia later in old age.

Robert S. Wilson said that … Read more >>.

How men and women play soccer differently

WASHINGTON – The significant differences in the knee alignment and muscle activation that exist between men and women also translate into the way they play soccer, says a new study.

Data reveals that males activate certain hip and leg muscles more than females during the motion of the instep and side-foot kicks – the most common …. Original source  : How men and women play soccer differently.

New test top diagnoseTB proves effective, convenient

WASHINGTON – Scientists have come up with a molecular test designed to easily diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and detect a drug-resistant form of the bacterium that causes TB can provide much more specific, sensitive and rapid results than currently available TB diagnostics.

In a test involving 1,730 patients with suspected drug-sensitive or multidrug-resistant pulmonary TB, the Xpert …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mental distress linked to shorter sleep durations in young adults

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that young adults who get fewer than eight hours of sleep per night have greater risks of psychological distress, a combination of high levels of depressive and anxious symptoms.

Using an average self-reported nightly sleep duration of eight to nine [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Forbidden’ black rice could be greatest ’superfood’

SYDNEY – Black rice, regularly used in China but uncommon in the West, could be one of the healthiest foods, say experts.

According to the scientists, the cereal is low in sugar but packed with healthy fibre and plant compounds, which can prevent heart disease and cancer.

Centuries ago it was known as “Forbidden Rice” in ancient … Original article on : ‘Forbidden’ black rice could be greatest ’superfood’.

New drug delivery patch to treat many more ailments sans painful pricks

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Purdue University have developed a new pump for microneedles drug delivery patch to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches.

“There are only a handful of drugs that currently can be administered with patches,” said Babak Ziaie, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and biomedical engineering. … Original article on : New drug delivery patch to treat many more ailments sans painful pricks.

Plane crashes in developing countries 13 times likelier than in US, First World

WASHINGTON – If you were planning to fly in a developing country, the results of this new study might change those plans, for the risk of airplane crashes is 13 times more than that in US and other First World countries.

The more economically advanced countries in the Developing World have better overall safety records than … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Plane crashes in developing countries 13 times likelier than in US, First World.

Texas congressman among dozens of Democrats trying to hang onto conservative districts

Democrats fight to stay in office amid backlash
McGREGOR, Texas – Rep. Chet Edwards, an imperiled Democrat deep in the heart of Republican territory, finds exiting American Legion Post No. 273 slow going. Supporters and well-wishers keep stopping him.
The wife of a World War II veteran hugs him. Several men line up …. Source  : Texas congressman among dozens of Democrats trying to hang onto conservative districts.

Exercise capacity is an inherited trait

WASHINGTON – Voluntary activity, such as daily exercise, is a highly heritable trait that can be passed down genetically to successive generations, according to biologists at the University of California, Riverside.

While working on mice in the lab, they found that activity level can be enhanced with “selective breeding” – the process of breeding plants and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New method extracts oxygen from water with minimal energy

WASHINGTON – Chemists have found a simple and inexpensive technique to pull pure oxygen from water using relatively small amounts of electricity, common chemicals and a room-temperature glass of water.

Because oxygen and hydrogen are energy-rich fuels, many researchers have proposed using solar electricity to split water into those elements – a stored energy source for … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New method extracts oxygen from water with minimal energy.

Chubby chaps ‘better in bed’

LONDON – Chubby chaps can actually make love for longer, says a new study.

Their sex sessions last an average 7.3 minutes, according to researchers from Erciyes University in Turkey, reports the Daily Express.

The reason is that they are much less likely to suffer from premature ejaculation.

Meanwhile, the slim lovers who are likely to leave women … Read more »».

NASA eyes unprecedented mission to unlock Sun’s biggest mysteries

WASHINGTON – NASA is developing an unprecedented mission to study the Sun closer than ever before.

The project, named Solar Probe Plus, is scheduled to launch no later than 2018.

The small car-sized spacecraft will plunge directly into the Sun’s atmosphere approximately four million miles from our star’s surface.

It will explore a region no other spacecraft ever … Read more »»».

Corals, big mammals to go extinct in future catastrophic event?

WASHINGTON – Corals, big mammals and many tropical species could all go extinct in what could be a major extinction event in the not too distant future, predict scientists who are attempting to forecast the fate of today’s animals by studying what happened to those in the distant past.

The Earth is in the middle of …. Original article  : Corals, big mammals to go extinct in future catastrophic event?.

Discovery of cerebral cortex in marine worm offers insights into evolution

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have discovered a true counterpart of the cerebral cortex in an invertebrate, a marine worm.

Our cerebral cortex, or pallium, is a big part of what makes us human: art, literature and science would not exist had this most fascinating part of our …. Read the original article  : Discovery of cerebral cortex in marine worm offers insights into evolution.

Implantable artificial kidney set to make dialysis history

WASHINGTON – UCSF team led by an Indian-origin scientist has unveiled a prototype model of the first implantable artificial kidney-a feat that one day could eliminate the need for dialysis

The device, which would include thousands of microscopic filters as well as a bioreactor to mimic the metabolic and water-balancing roles of a real kidney, is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Implantable artificial kidney set to make dialysis history.

Novel anti-malarial drug candidate discovered

WASHINGTON – Researchers discovered a novel compound that shows promise as a next generation treatment for drug resistant malaria.

Scientists at the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD), achieved the above feat in collaboration with researchers from the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF), the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and The Scripps [..] Read the original article: here.

Ultraviolet starlight key to making water in space

WASHINGTON – ESA’s Herschel infrared space observatory has discovered the key ingredient for making water in space- ultraviolet starlight.

And the finding is the only explanation for why a dying star is surrounded by a gigantic cloud of hot water vapour.

When astronomers discovered an unexpected cloud of water vapour around the old star IRC+10216 in 2001, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ultraviolet starlight key to making water in space.

Canadian honour for M.S. Swaminathan

VANCOUVER – M.S. Swaminathan, one of the pioneers of the Green Revolution in India, will receive an honorary doctorate from Canada’s University of Alberta for his contribution to food security in the world.

The Edmonton-based university, which has forged strong relationship with India thanks to its Sri Lankan-born president Indira Samarasekera, said the world-renowned Indian agriculture …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Academic performance in adolescence linked to gene variants

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that the academic performance of adolescents will suffer in at least one of four key subjects-English, math, science, history-if their DNA contains one or more of three specific dopamine gene variations.

Kevin M. Beaver of The Florida State University sheds new light on the genetic components of academic performance …. Original source  : Academic performance in adolescence linked to gene variants.

Former egg farm workers say complaints ignored by USDA employees working at the site

Former egg farm workers say complaints ignored

DES MOINES, Iowa – U.S. Agriculture Department employees worked full-time at two Iowa egg farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive recall, but two former workers said they ignored complaints about conditions at one site.
The USDA employees worked next to areas where roughly 7.7 million caged … Read more »».

Ants really do scare elephants

WASHINGTON – They may be tiny, but ants can bring giant elephants down to their knees, according to a new study that reveals that elephants in the savannah have good reason to be scared of the tiny insects.

Columns of angered ants will crawl up into elephant trunks to repel the hungry beasts from devouring tree …. Original source  : Ants really do scare elephants.

‘Magical’ process turns one kiwifruit into 100 bioplastic utensils!

WELLINGTON – New Zealand researchers have performed a feat nothing less than magic, by converting one kiwifruit into 100 plastic spoons and sewage into electricity.

Scion, a Crown research institute in Rotorua, has developed technology to turn organic materials and waste into compostable bioplastics such as spoons and knifes, called “spifes”.

“We do a ‘reactive transformation’ – … Read : ‘Magical’ process turns one kiwifruit into 100 bioplastic utensils!.

Why older women are less likely to produce children

LONDON – Scientists may soon discover why older women are more likely to produce abnormal eggs.

The Newcastle University team saw a fall in levels of proteins called cohesins, essential for chromosomes to divide properly for fertilisation.

Abnormal eggs are linked to infertility, miscarriage and conditions including Down’s Syndrome.

It was already known that pregnancy problems in older … Original article on : Why older women are less likely to produce children.

2001 Indian ‘red rain’ showered earth with ‘alien life’, claim theorists

MELBOURNE – After nine years of research, panspermia theorists have said that the ‘red’ rains that occurred in India in July 2001 contained bugs that were unlike anything ever found on the Earth, suggesting that it may be an alien form of life.

Panspermia is the idea that all life on Earth was seeded from comets, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cigarette smoke may cause inflammation through a new chemical pathway

WASHINGTON – Cigarette smoke causes a key enzyme that regulates the body’s response to inflammation, to shut off, according to a new study.esearchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham found that smoke causes the enzyme to shut down white blood cells following a successful response to inflammation.

The study also found a previously unknown substrate …. Read the original article  : Cigarette smoke may cause inflammation through a new chemical pathway.

Naughty monkey on prowl for spectacles

SHIMLA – A naughty monkey is not seeing eye to eye with residents of the Himachal Pradesh capital. He is focusing instead on their spectacles and running away with them!

The ‘farsighted’ monkey even enters an office and decamps with a pair of glasses.
In the past week, it has taken away five spectacles from … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Naughty monkey on prowl for spectacles.

Laser-based missile defense for helicopters on the anvil

WASHINGTON – A new laser technology being developed at the University of Michigan and Omni Sciences, Inc. will protect helicopters in combat from enemy missiles.

“Our lasers give off a signal that’s like throwing sand in the eyes of the missile,” said Mohammed Islam.

These sturdy and portable “mid-infrared supercontinuum lasers” are being made using economical and … Original article on : Laser-based missile defense for helicopters on the anvil.

Superstitious people let go of all their beliefs when faced with death

WASHINGTON – People who believe in fate are more superstitious, but the same people, when faced with death, abandon all their beliefs – says a new study.

Kansas State University researcher Scott Fluke and his colleagues focused on personality traits that lead to superstition.

They defined superstition as the belief in a casual relationship between an action, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Superstitious people let go of all their beliefs when faced with death.

How fish oils work against diabetes

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered why eating fish may be a great idea to ward off chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.

Jerrold Olefsky and colleagues identified a key receptor on macrophages abundantly found in obese body fat. Obesity and diabetes are closely correlated. The scientists say … Read more »».

Panda still endangered despite baby boom

BEIJING – China’s giant pandas remain still an endangered species despite the birth of 23 cubs in zoos across the country in the past two months, panda researchers have said.

“The baby boom began in early July, with 23 cubs born in captivity – 14 at the Wolong research centre, eight in Chengdu and one …. Original article  : Panda still endangered despite baby boom.

Owl monkey only primate to exhibit ‘early birds’ and ‘night owls’ behaviour

WASHINGTON – University of Pennsylvania anthropologists have shown that in Azaro’s owl monkeys, temperature and light are just as important environmental factors as the circadian rhythm that regulates periods of sleep and wakefulness.

The study indicates that changes in sensitivity to specific environmental stimuli may have been an essential key for evolutionary switches between diurnal and …. Original source  : Owl monkey only primate to exhibit ‘early birds’ and ‘night owls’ behaviour.

High-speed graphene transistors could mean faster mobiles, computers

LONDON – A group of UCLA researchers has fabricated the fastest graphene transistor to date, which could translate into faster electronic devices such as radios, computers and mobiles.

Graphene, a one-atom-thick layer of graphitic carbon, has the highest known carrier mobility making it a great candidate for high-speed radio-frequency electronics.

The UCLA team has developed a new …. Read the original article  : here.

Fuel-free space tethers to manoeuvre spacecraft in orbit

WASHINGTON – A team at NASA is testing a chemical-free propulsion system that will use Earth’s magnetic field to move satellites and spacecraft in orbit.

Space tethers collect current when they fly near the ionosphere-the charged, upper layer of atmosphere-and magnetic field. The current flowing through the wire will be pushed on by Earth’s magnetic field, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Scientists find culprit behind dying ‘doughnut’ of Michigan Lake

WASHINGTON – The ‘doughnut’ of Lake Michigan, a roughly circular river of phytoplankton-algae and other tiny plants, is ‘dying’ and scientists believe that quagga mussel are the culprits.

When Michigan Technological University biologist W. Charles Kerfoot and his research team first saw it in 1998, they found that zooplankton, the tiny animals that feed on phytoplankton, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists find culprit behind dying ‘doughnut’ of Michigan Lake.

Transition metal catalysts led to origin of life?

WASHINGTON – Scientists have proposed that a third type of catalyst, apart from biochemicals-such as amino acids and nucleotides and biological catalysts (proteins or ribozymes), was responsible for origin of life on Earth.

According to Harold Morowitz of George Mason University (GMU), Vijayasarathy Srinivasan of GMU, and Eric Smith of the Santa Fe Institute, molecular structures … Original article on : Transition metal catalysts led to origin of life?.

Parkinson’s patients ‘perform automated tasks better’

WASHINGTON – People with Parkinson’s disease can perform automated tasks better than people without the disease, but have significant difficulty switching from easy to hard tasks, find Queen’s researchers.

The findings are a step towards understanding the aspects of the illness that affect the brain’s ability to function on a cognitive level.

“We often think of Parkinson’s …. Source article  : Parkinson’s patients ‘perform automated tasks better’.

How bone-marrow stem cells survive in low-oxygen environments

WASHINGTON – Unique metabolic properties that allow a specific type of stem cell in the body to survive and replicate in low-oxygen environments have been identified by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers.

Investigators found that the low-oxygen microenvironments that ordinarily deprive and starve other kinds of cells are tolerated by a type of stem cell used … Read more >>.

Non-invasive therapy for depression

WASHINGTON – UCLA researchers have found a unique new therapy that could help those suffering from depression.

The therapy applies electrical stimulation to a major nerve emanating from the brain is showing promise.

In a recently completed clinical trial at UCLA, trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) achieved an average of a 70 percent reduction in symptom severity over … Original article on : Non-invasive therapy for depression.

Bangalore cool to virtual telescope idea

BANGALORE – India’s premier science city failed to live up to its reputation as it gave a tepid response to a Microsoft-sponsored workshop here on the concept of the “virtual telescope”.

Though the city is host to about 70 scientific and research institutions, including the renowned Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) …. Read the original article  : here.

Burger King to stop buying palm oil from Indonesian company accused of rainforest destruction

Burger King to stop buying oil from Indonesian co.

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Environmentalists on Saturday praised Burger King’s decision to stop buying palm oil from an Indonesian company accused of destroying rainforests.
The U.S. hamburger chain giant – which recently sealed a deal to sell itself for $3.26 billion to 3G Capital – said Friday that it …. Original source  : Burger King to stop buying palm oil from Indonesian company accused of rainforest destruction.

Soon, pill to shake off lethargy may one day be a reality

LONDON – Why does it feel like the toughest thing in the world to get up on a Saturday and hit the gym or to get off the couch and do the laundry? It’s all in your genes, says a new study.

Scientists now claim a desire to keep fit and do regular exercise is hereditary, … Read more : Soon, pill to shake off lethargy may one day be a reality.

Dodgy breast implants not likely to explode, say experts

LONDON – Experts in the UK say that tests on a type of breast implant filled with an unapproved gel have shown no evidence they are unsafe.

Poly Implant Prostheses – or PIPs – had been under scanner after a French inquiry identified problems.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said in March that no … Read : Dodgy breast implants not likely to explode, say experts.

Verbal clues offer insights into how couples cope with divorce

WASHINGTON – How you cope with your divorce is revealed by how you talk about it than what you say about it, says a new study.

University of Arizona researchers found that people in the midst of a divorce typically reveal how they are handling things by how they speak.

The team recruited couples, which had recently … Read more >>.

Laziness may all be in the genes

LONDON – Why does it feel like the toughest thing in the world to get up on a Saturday and hit the gym or to get off the couch and do the laundry? It’s all in your genes, says a new study.

Scientists now claim a desire to keep fit and do regular exercise is hereditary, … Original article on : Laziness may all be in the genes.

Why our brains flip over optical illusions

LONDON – Optical illusions, images that appear to be one picture for one moment, and then look something entirely different the next, have always fascinated us. But scientists, until now, had never quite been able to put a finger on how our brain flips between the two images.

Now researchers from University College London are one … Original article on : Why our brains flip over optical illusions.

Computer games may be encouraging teens to drive recklessly

LONDON – Those rough and thrilling driving-based computer games that adolescents play could be leading to reckless driving when they take to the roads for real, a study of teenagers’ attitudes to road risks suggests.

With around 1000 people under the age of 25 killed on the world’s roads every day, Kathleen Beullens of the Catholic [..] Read the original article: here.

Drink blackcurrant juice to prevent aches and strains of exercise

LONDON – A new study has shown that drinking blackcurrant juice can help prevent aches and strains during exercise.

Researchers say compounds called flavonoids in the berries protect the body from the stresses of working out.

The experiment, led by Dr Roger Hurst at New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, monitored the impact … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Drink blackcurrant juice to prevent aches and strains of exercise.

Seaweed extract could drive away acne woes in teens

LONDON – Acne is probably the worst part of turning into a teenager for many, but now studies show that seaweed extract could solve this spotty problem.

An active ingredient from a type of brown seaweed could be the solution to spots and oily skin. Found off the coast of Brittany, the extract was found to …. Read the original article  : here.

Larry Ashmead, editor of Asimov, Hillerman and other writers, dies at age 78 in NY

Longtime book editor Larry Ashmead dies at 78

NEW YORK – Larry Ashmead, a former book editor who worked with Isaac Asimov, Tony Hillerman and other authors, has died at 78, his former employer, former employer, HarperCollins, said Friday.
Ashmead died at a hospital in Hudson, N.Y., after a brief illness.
Ashmead was a native of Rochester in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Larry Ashmead, editor of Asimov, Hillerman and other writers, dies at age 78 in NY.

Court reverses verdict in $926 million contamination lawsuit against Rocky Flats contractors

Court throws out $926 million Rocky Flats award

DENVER – A $926 million award to thousands of Colorado homeowners in a lawsuit involving plutonium contamination from a now-defunct nuclear weapons plant was thrown out Friday by a federal appeals court.
A three-judge panel also tossed the jury verdict in the case and ruled that homeowners failed to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Court reverses verdict in $926 million contamination lawsuit against Rocky Flats contractors.

More water released from Bhakra Dam

CHANDIGARH – More water was released from the Bhakra Dam into the Satluj river Sunday as its spillways were opened to maintain the water level in the reservoir.

The water level in the Gobind Sagar reservior of dam touched the 1,680 feet maximum storage mark Saturday. It was increasing by half to one foot every day. …. Source  : More water released from Bhakra Dam.

Long-term impact of drug use – ‘Brain damage’

SYDNEY – A new research on ecstasy, ice and speed users in Australia has uncovered tell-tale signs of brain damage.

The study adds to concerns over the long-term impact of drug use.

As part of the study, doctors at Royal Perth Hospital scanned the brains of 30 patients who were treated in the emergency department for problems …. Original article  : Long-term impact of drug use – ‘Brain damage’.

Want to have a baby girl? ‘Quit salt and bananas’

LONDON – Want to have a daughter? Well, then quit bananas and go on a diet of beans and hard cheese, say scientists.

Researchers from Maastricht University in Holland have discovered that a combination of the right food and the timing of sex are the key to the nursery being painted pink rather than blue.

They say … Original source on Gaea Times at : Want to have a baby girl? ‘Quit salt and bananas’.

Data from Chandrayaan moon mission to go public

BANGALORE – Voluminous scientific data, including rare images of the moon, from India’s maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 will be made public by the year-end.

“People will have free access to the huge data obtained from our first moon mission on a web portal that will be launched by this year-end,” a senior scientist of the Indian … Read more »»».

Egg-laying lizards on verge giving live births

LONDON – Scientists have caught up with lizards about to abandon egg-laying for live births in an evolutionary leap.

The skink, snake-like with four tiny legs, has been found laying eggs along the New South Wales coast in Australia.
However, its counterpart, a three-toed lizard inhabiting the colder mountainous region of the country, is giving birth … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Egg-laying lizards on verge giving live births.

Now, make a bright fashion statement with LED-studded skirt!

LONDON – Fashionistas can now make a bright fashion statement – by donning a LED-studded fabric that gets lit up by wearer’s own movements.

Rehmi Post and colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed the Sp4rkl3 skirt, which contains simple circuitry within alternating layers of nylon and Teflon.

The materials generate static as they rub … Original article on : Now, make a bright fashion statement with LED-studded skirt!.

How did animals evolve personalities?

LONDON – Just like humans, animals too have personalities – consistent behavioural patterns. But how did they evolve?

To determine, scientists at Max Wolf of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany, created simple simulated animals with personalities that were either consistently aggressive or meek, or flipped between the two.

They were pitted against … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How did animals evolve personalities?.

Craigslist dumps ‘adult service’ ads

NEW YORK – The popular website for classified ads Craigslist has blocked access to its ‘adult services’ section.

Users now see a black bar with the word ‘censored’ where the listings previously appeared, reports the New York Times.

Craigslist took the decision after law-enforcement officials and groups that oppose human trafficking slammed the website, saying that the …. Read the original article  : Craigslist dumps ‘adult service’ ads.

Heavy September rains in Delhi, more forecast

NEW DELHI – Heavy rains lashed the national capital Sunday morning, bringing down the temperature and causing the usual flooding of city streets.

The national capital received 36.4 mm of rains from Saturday morning till 8.30 a.m. Sunday. The downpour is likely to continue through the day, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. …. Read the original article  : Heavy September rains in Delhi, more forecast.

How cancer ‘eats patients alive’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have proposed a new theory about how cancer cells grow and survive.

The finding could help researchers design better diagnostics and therapies to target high-risk cancer patients.

A large team of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University’s Kimmel Cancer Center conducted four new studies.

This new idea also explains why so many cancer patients say that … Read more >>.

Spitzer Telescope spots mix of asteroids near Earth

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed a colourful mixed bunch of asteroids, with a surprisingly wide array of compositions, much like an assorted box of candies.

Some are dark and dull; others are shiny and bright. The findings are helping astronomers better understand near-Earth objects as a whole-a population whose physical properties are not … Read more »»».

LA artists fight to save the city’s historic legacy of murals against a tide of graffiti

LA artists fight to save city’s legacy of murals

LOS ANGELES – Every so often, Ernesto de la Loza drives around the city to check on the state of his murals. It’s a short tour these days. Out of 42 swirling, vivid pieces he’s painted, only seven remain, the rest lost to graffiti, whitewash and withering …. Source  : LA artists fight to save the city’s historic legacy of murals against a tide of graffiti.

Subsidiary of Koch Industries donates $1M to suspend California’s global warming law

Koch brothers give $1M to back Proposition 23

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Oil billionaires David and Charles Koch have jumped on board an effort to suspend California’s global warming law by making a million-dollar contribution this week.
A subsidiary of Wichita, Kan.-based Koch Industries, the nation’s second-largest private company with oil refineries and pipelines, made a $1 million …. Source  : Subsidiary of Koch Industries donates $1M to suspend California’s global warming law.

Hubble observations of supernova reveal composition of ’star guts’ pouring out

WASHINGTON – A new study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder has revealed that observations made with NASA’s newly refurbished Hubble Space Telescope of a nearby supernova are allowing astronomers to measure the velocity and composition of ’star guts’ being ejected into space following the explosion.

The astronomers detected significant brightening of the …. Original article  : Hubble observations of supernova reveal composition of ’star guts’ pouring out.

First clinical trials on potent new hepatitis C drug successfully completed

WASHINGTON – Scientists have successfully completed the first clinical trials on a new investigational drug being developed to treat infections caused by Hepatitis C virus.

INX-189, which is still in the initial stages, is being considered better than current treatment drugs- ribavirin and interferon, whose side effects are often severe.

Professor Chris McGuigan of the Welsh School …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : First clinical trials on potent new hepatitis C drug successfully completed.

Wild chimps learning how to outwit human hunters

LONDON – A new study has revealed that wild chimpanzees are learning how to outwit human hunters.

Across Africa, people often lay snare traps to catch bushmeat, killing or injuring chimps and other wildlife.

But researchers have found that a few chimps living in the rainforests of Guinea have learnt to recognise these snare traps …. Original article  : Wild chimps learning how to outwit human hunters.

Missing piece of Mars puzzle may reveal whether life existed on planet

WASHINGTON – Experiments prompted by a 2008 surprise from NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander suggest that soil examined by NASA’s Viking Mars landers in 1976 may have contained carbon-based chemical building blocks of life.

“This doesn’t say anything about the question of whether or not life has existed on Mars, but it could make a big difference …. Original article  : Missing piece of Mars puzzle may reveal whether life existed on planet.

‘Swiss-style voting can end mining woes’

PANAJI – A suitably-adapted Swiss-referendum style mode of grassroots governance could control excess mining in Goa and other parts of the country, convenor of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) good governance cell Manohar Parrikar said Saturday.

Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of a workshop on mining and human rights here, Parrikar said uncontrolled and [..] Read the original article: here.

Preventive mastectomies pay off for some women

WASHINGTON – A long-term study of women who are genetically prone to breast or ovarian cancer has shown that those who undergo major preventive surgeries had a reduced risk of those cancers.

Gail Tomlinson of the University of Texas said that for … Read more »».

Food poisoning bacteria may be key to future of renewable energy

WASHINGTON – Unlike the popular correlation of E. coli with sickness and food poisoning, the malevolent bacteria may also be the key to the future of renewable energy, study suggests.

Desmond Lun of Rutgers University is apparently researching how to alter the genetic …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Food poisoning bacteria may be key to future of renewable energy.