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.

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”.

Energy drinks really do work

LONDON – A Scottish research has suggested that energy drinks really do help athletes improve their endurance and levels of performance.

The study of young sportsmen and women found that consuming the drinks before and during exercise meant they could play in team games for longer than those who had …. Read the original article  : here.

Cure for peanut allergy may lie in peanuts

WASHINGTON – People who have peanut allergies panic at the mere sight of it. But, new research at Duke University Medical Center is showing the culprit may also be the cure.llergic people tend to avoid peanut even in trace amounts.

“It takes as little as 1/100th of a peanut to cause a life threatening reaction,” CBS …. Source article  : Cure for peanut allergy may lie in peanuts.

Climate change not linked to African civil wars, claims expert

LONDON – An expert has dismissed claims that global warming can drive civil war in crisis-ridden parts of Africa.

In his popular 2008 book Climate Wars, the US journalist and military historian Gwynne Dyer, said that climate change would put growing pressure on fresh water and food over the coming century, triggering social disorder, mass migration …. Original article  : Climate change not linked to African civil wars, claims expert.

NASA eyes swarming spacecrafts that self-destruct to save others

LONDON – NASA is creating a new self-sacrifice mechanism, in which future space probes will see many small spacecrafts working in co-operatio, but will commit hara-kiri if they begin to fail and risk damaging their comrades.

The agency foresees a day when space missions are undertaken not by one large spacecraft but by swarming formations of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : NASA eyes swarming spacecrafts that self-destruct to save others.

Blocking bacteria’s ‘death signal’ could treat severe bone disease

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered that a surface molecule on bacteria which instructs bone cells to die could be the target for new treatments for bone disease.

Blocking the death signal from bacteria could be a way of treating painful …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Blocking bacteria’s ‘death signal’ could treat severe bone disease.

Iran on brink of nuclear weapon, warns UN watchdog

LONDON – Iran is on the brink of developing an atomic missile, weapons inspectors of the UN’s nuclear watchdog have warned.

A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iranian scientists had made at least 22 kg of enriched uranium with at least 20 percent purity, the Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.
Experts [..] Read the original article: here.

Breakthrough test could spell the end of ‘manflu’

LONDON – Men often pretend to suffer from flu even when it’s just a common cold to get more sympathy – but a new breakthrough will help scientists find out if they are faking it.

They claim that looking at an individual’s blood make-up can be used to prove whether they really are suffering from manflu …. Original source  : Breakthrough test could spell the end of ‘manflu’.

White gay men ’still taking too many HIV risks’

WASHINGTON – New research has found that young white homosexual men may have an important contribution in the local spread of HIV.

Researchers from Ghent University in Belgium compared the genetic information of viruses isolated from more than 500 patients – male and female, gay and straight, Caucasian and non-Caucasian – who were newly diagnosed at … Read this article on Gaea Times at : White gay men ’still taking too many HIV risks’.

Humans and apes have mothers to thank for their large brains

LONDON – Humans, apes and monkeys should thank their mothers for their large brains, says a new study.

Vera Weisbecker of the University of Cambridge and Anjali Goswami of University College London looked at the brains of 197 marsupials and 457 placental mammals, and could find a link between metabolic rate and brain size only in …. Original article  : Humans and apes have mothers to thank for their large brains.

It’s official: Men have more memory problems than women

WASHINGTON – Men are known to have problems remembering birthdays and anniversaries while women don’t. And, now it’s official, says a new study, which found that the instance of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is higher was men than women.

Mild cognitive impairment is a condition in which people have problems with memory or thinking beyond that … Read more >>>.

Facebook addiction could lower students’ grades by 20pct

LONDON – Students who are logged on to Facebook while studying get significantly lower grades than those who do not, according to psychologists.

A study has found that the exam results of those who used the social networking site while working, even if it was on in the background, were 20 per cent lower …. Source article  : Facebook addiction could lower students’ grades by 20pct.

Now, ‘tongue tingler’ to tackle snoring

LONDON – Fed up of your partner’s snoring that keeps you up all night? A new tongue tingler may be the answer to all your prayers.

During each breath, the device sends a pulse of energy to a nerve in the throat. This then stimulates a muscle in the tongue, which helps to keep the -airway … Original source on Gaea Times at : Now, ‘tongue tingler’ to tackle snoring.

‘Magic mushrooms’ ease cancer patients’ anxiety

LONDON – Scientists in the US have found that the active ingredient of magic mushrooms, psilocybin, can reduce anxiety and improve mood in people with cancer.

Charles Grob from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California, and colleagues, recruited 12 people with advanced-stage cancer who also suffered from anxiety.

The volunteers received one dose of psilocybin or the …. Read the original article  : ‘Magic mushrooms’ ease cancer patients’ anxiety.

Parents ‘more likely to suffer depression in 1st year after childbirth’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that parents face the highest risk of depression in the first year after a child’s birth.

Experiencing an episode of depression is highly likely between their child’s birth and 12th year of age, with the highest rates in the first year after birth, said scientists at Medical Research Council, …. Read the original article  : Parents ‘more likely to suffer depression in 1st year after childbirth’.

Urban dwellers more prone to psychotic disorders: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that people staying in urban areas are more likely to have psychotic disorders.

“There is a substantial worldwide variation in incidence rates of schizophrenia,” the Cardiff University authors wrote.

“The clearest geographic pattern within this distribution of rates is that urban areas have a higher incidence of schizophrenia than rural … Original article on : Urban dwellers more prone to psychotic disorders: Study.

Three dead, thousands marooned in Chhattisgarh rains

RAIPUR – Two days of continuous rains in parts of Chhattisgarh, mainly the southern region of Bastar, have led to the death of three people and left thousands of people marooned, officials said Tuesday.

The deaths were reported from Narayanpur district of Bastar region where three people were swept away by heavy rains Monday night. Their … Read : Three dead, thousands marooned in Chhattisgarh rains.

Muggy day in Delhi, rains likely

NEW DELHI – Delhi experienced a muggy Tuesday morning as maximum humidity touched 100 percent. The weatherman said parts of the city could see some showers later in the day.

“The skies will be partly cloudy with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers in some parts of the city later in the day,” said … Read more »»».

Coast Guard: Swath of red tide found in NY Harbor, stretches for nearly 10 miles

Coast Guard: Swath of red tide found in NY Harbor

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard says a nearly 10-mile-long ribbon of red tide has been spotted in New York Harbor.
The agency says the outbreak of potentially harmful algae was reported early Monday and confirmed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. DEP representatives didn’t … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Coast Guard: Swath of red tide found in NY Harbor, stretches for nearly 10 miles.

Study says that up to a point, money really can improve happiness; $75K is the sweet spot

Report: Money can buy you happiness, to a point

WASHINGTON – They say money can’t buy happiness. They’re wrong.
At least up to a point.
People’s emotional well-being – happiness – increases along with their income up to about $75,000, researchers report in Tuesday’s edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For folks making less than that, …. Read the original article  : here.

Rains bring on high humidity in Delhi

NEW DELHI – After a spell of heavy rain in the morning, it was again a day of hot humid weather in the capital Monday as the maximum humidity touched 100 percent.

However, there may be some relief with the weatherman predicting more rains Tuesday.
“Skies will remain cloudy and parts of the city may witness …. Source  : Rains bring on high humidity in Delhi.

Log on to www.postcardsfromuniverse.org to send e-postcards from space to family, friends

WASHINGTON – Visitors to the website of a book that features articles from astronomers around the world about the hottest astronomical topics of the moment can now send an electronic postcard from space to family and friends-the only … Read more >>>.

Scientist offers better ways to engineer Earth’s climate to prevent global warming

WASHINGTON – A University of Calgary climate scientist has said that there may be better ways to engineer the planet’s climate to prevent dangerous global warming than mimicking volcanoes.

“Releasing engineered nano-sized disks, or sulphuric acid in a condensable … Read more >>.

Device to enable improved global data transmission developed

LONDON – A new data transmission system has been developed that could substantially improve the transmission capacity and energy efficiency of the world’s optical communication networks.

Transmission of data through optical …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Device to enable improved global data transmission developed.

Multivitamin has no effect on colon cancer outcomes

WASHINGTON – Using multivitamins during and after being treated with post-surgical chemotherapy does not cut colon cancer risk in patients or save them from dying, say researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

In a study of patients with stage III colon cancer- characterized as cancer in the large bowel area with some cancer …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Multivitamin has no effect on colon cancer outcomes.

Bizarre feed supplement could cut greenhouse emissions by gassy cows

WASHINGTON – An unusual feed supplement could soon put an end to cow belches, a major source of greenhouse gases.

A Penn State dairy scientist conducted a series of laboratory experiments and a live animal test to develop an oregano-based supplement, which not only decreased methane emissions …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bizarre feed supplement could cut greenhouse emissions by gassy cows.

Mammoth, reindeer already lived on Iberian Peninsula 150,000 yrs ago

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of Oviedo (UO) and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) have revealed that although in small numbers, the woolly mammoth, the woolly rhinoceros and the reindeer already lived in the Iberian Peninsula 150,000 years ago.

Their presence has been linked to the paleoclimatic scale created on the basis of …. Original source  : Mammoth, reindeer already lived on Iberian Peninsula 150,000 yrs ago.

Irrigation may offset climate change effects in some regions: Study

WASHINGTON – Expanded irrigation might mitigate the effects of climate change in some areas, a new study has revealed.

But some major groundwater aquifers, a source of irrigation water, are projected to dry up in coming decades from continuing overuse, and when they do, people may face the double whammy of food shortages and higher temperatures.

“An … Read more >>.

Novel discovery may lead to new therapies for chronic pain

WASHINGTON – Mount Sinai researchers have discovered a major mechanism underlying the development of tolerance to chronic morphine treatment – the find might lead the way for new therapies to treat chronic pain.

Developing tolerance towards morphine after chronic administration is a hurdle in pain management, but it also poses other problems, such as addiction and … Read more >>>.

No reliable cure for morning sickness, say experts

WASHINGTON – A team of researchers has stated that there are currently no reliably safe and effective treatments for morning sickness.

Cochrane researchers conducted a systematic review of the available evidence and revealed that there was very limited evidence for all pharmaceutical and alternative medicines tested.

The review included 27 randomised controlled trials, which together involved … Read : No reliable cure for morning sickness, say experts.

India’s participation highest during International Year of Astronomy 2009

WASHINGTON – A 1300-page final report for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 has been released which revealed that the highest of participation came from India.

The report was released at the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science in Lisbon, which showed that at least 815 million people from 148 countries participated in the world’s [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, a mobile phone app to warn of excessive radiation levels

MELBOURNE – An Israeli company has developed a software that monitors mobile phone’s radiation levels and alerts the user if the levels are very high.

Tawkon said the purpose of the application was to reduce phone user’s exposure to emissions without having to give up their phone.

The application is already available for BlackBerry handsets and will …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, a mobile phone app to warn of excessive radiation levels.

Universe at big bang’s time was highly chaotic

WASHINGTON – Using rigorous mathematical arguments, researchers have proved that the expansion of the universe at the time of the big bang was highly chaotic.

The study by Northwestern University physicist Adilson E. Motter reports not only that chaos is absolute but also the mathematical tools that can be used to detect it.

When applied …. Original article  : Universe at big bang’s time was highly chaotic.

Mother’s love responsible for bigger brains in humans

LONDON – Humans and primates have their mothers to thank for their bigger brains.

Monkeys have large brains because of mothering after birth, a new research has found.
Earlier, scientists had ascribed a large brain to fast metabolism. But kangaroos and possums, marsupials, who develop in a pouch instead of a womb, have relative brain sizes … Read more : Mother’s love responsible for bigger brains in humans.

Swallowing diamonds could diagnose what’s ailing you

WASHINGTON – Swallowing a diamond could soon tell what disease you are suffering from, thanks to a new technology developed by scientists from Taiwan.

The researchers have developed nanodiamonds that, when swallowed, harmlessly coat the digestive track.

When coated with special sugars or proteins, the nanodiamonds are absorbed into the body and … Read : Swallowing diamonds could diagnose what’s ailing you.

An oraguntan on a diet

LONDON – An obese orangutan in Britain is on a diet and she is having only a bowl of fruits and vegetables.

Oshine gained weight after she ate lots of sweets, jelly and marshmallows for 13 years when she was a pet in South Africa. She weighs nearly 100 kg.
The Sun reported that she … Read : An oraguntan on a diet.

Termites can predict climate change in African savannahs

LONDON – Scientists have said that termite mounds can be used to predict ecological shifts from climate change in the African savannahs.

Researchers at Carnegie Institution’s Department of Global Ecology used sophisticated airborne imaging and structural analysis … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Termites can predict climate change in African savannahs.

We can detect volcanoes on alien worlds, say scientists

WASHINGTON – Scientists at at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have said that it is possible for us to detect volcanoes on alien planets.

“You would need something truly earthshaking, an eruption that dumped a lot of gases into the atmosphere,” said … Original article on : We can detect volcanoes on alien worlds, say scientists.

Drying hands thoroughly after washing could stop spread of bacteria

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that not drying your hands thoroughly after washing them, could increase the spread of bacteria and rubbing your hands whilst using a conventional electric hand dryer could be a contributing factor.

The study by [..] Read the original article: here.

Inflammation linked to lower intelligence, premature death

WASHINGTON – Swedish scientists have revealed that inflammation is associated with lower intelligence and premature death.

“Those with low-grade inflammation performed more poorly on standardised intelligence tests, even after excluding those with signs of current illness. Inflammation also predicted … Original article on : Inflammation linked to lower intelligence, premature death.

Babies with low vitamin D levels twice as likely to develop schizophrenia

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that babies born with low vitamin D levels are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia later in life.

But the researchers from the Queensland Brain Institute say the good news from the study is that it suggests it may be … Read more : Babies with low vitamin D levels twice as likely to develop schizophrenia.

Technology ‘most popular homework excuse’

LONDON – A new UK survey has revealed that traditional excuses, which kids usually give their teachers regarding their homework, have now been replaced by ones involving technology.

Online backup company Mozy, which carried … Read more : Technology ‘most popular homework excuse’.

3 out of 4 cats have no qualms wearing a collar, despite owners’ fears

WASHINGTON – Almost three out of four cats wear collars despite their owners being sceptical about its success, revealed a study.

In a new six-month study, almost 60 percent animals’ tolerance of collars exceeded owners’ expectations that their cat would keep the collar on without much trouble.he researchers suggest … Read more »».

Critical ‘traffic engineer’ of the nervous system found

LONDON – Researchers have identified a critical enzyme that keeps traffic flowing in the right direction in the nervous system-a feat that could pave the way for new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

“There was no medical or any other applied science drive for this project; …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Relaxing’ massage also gives body’s immune system a boost

WASHINGTON – Love going for that occasional massage appointment in the nearest spa? Well, now there is a reason to increase the frequency of your visit to the massage parlour-it actually boosts your immune system.

Researchers in Cedars-Sinai’s Department of Psychiatry and …. Source article  : ‘Relaxing’ massage also gives body’s immune system a boost.

New gene for memory identified in fruit fly could provide Alzheimer’s clues

WASHINGTON – Scientists have for the first time identified a new gene that is required for memory formation in Drosophila, the common fruit fly.

The gene may have similar functions in humans, shedding light on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New gene for memory identified in fruit fly could provide Alzheimer’s clues.

Hyundai shows off South Korea’s first electric car as president takes test drive

Hyundai shows off SKorea’s first electric car
SEOUL, South Korea – Hyundai Motor unveiled its first electric car Thursday – the BlueOn – as it moves to catch up with Japanese rivals that have jumped ahead in the field.
Hyundai showed off the car on the grounds of Seoul’s hillside Blue House, the office and …. Original article  : Hyundai shows off South Korea’s first electric car as president takes test drive.

Apple’s new iWatch can be worn on wrist

LONDON – Apple launched the nifty new iPod nano dubbed ‘iWatch’, arguably the smallest music player in the market which can be worn on the wrist.

It is functionally similar to the iPod and iPhone and also boasts a ‘multi-touch’ screen, allowing more than one finger to be used on the screen at once. … Read more >>.

130 mn-year-old hunchback, feathered ‘camel’ dino found in Europe

WASHINGTON – Scientists have uncovered remains of a hunchbacked dinosaur species that sprouted spiky, featherlike shafts on its arms; was probably a powerful runner; and likely ate small dinosaurs, crocodiles, and early mammals.

The Concavenator corcovatus -”the hunchback hunter from Cuenca”- skeleton was found in central Spain after … Read more »»».

Brain mechanism linked to relapse after cocaine withdrawal discovered

WASHINGTON – New research has uncovered a specific neural mechanism in the brain that may be linked to persistent drug-seeking behaviour – a find that could aid development of new therapies for cocaine addiction.

Certain areas in the brain are activated when cocaine users experience …. Source  : Brain mechanism linked to relapse after cocaine withdrawal discovered.

Indian-origin doc’s ‘chewing gum’ cure to save kids across world

LONDON – A new brain surgery technique, which has been invented by an Indian-origin doctor to save the life of a seriously ill newborn baby, is set to be used by medical practitioners to treat children all over the world.

Jo Bhattacharya, …. Original source  : Indian-origin doc’s ‘chewing gum’ cure to save kids across world.

‘Google Instant’ promises search results ‘at the speed of thought’

LONDON – Google has launched a new product ‘Google Instant’ that displays search results as soon as users type in queries.

“This is search at the speed of thought. It represents a quantum leap in search,” the BBC quoted company as saying.

‘Google Instant’ goes live in the next week and on …. Read the original article  : ‘Google Instant’ promises search results ‘at the speed of thought’.

Vitamin B ‘new weapon against Alzheimer’s’

LONDON – Vitamin B could prove to be a revolutionary weapon against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study.

Researchers say that high doses of B vitamins may halve the rate of brain shrinkage in older people experiencing some of …. Read the original article  : Vitamin B ‘new weapon against Alzheimer’s’.

Was Alexander the Great’s half-brother buried at Vergina?

WASHINGTON – University of Bristol researchers have challenged a claim that the brother of Alexander the Great, Arrhidaios, was indeed buried at Vergina.

The tomb was discovered during the excavation of a large mound – the Great Tumulus – at Vergina in 1977.

Dr Jonathan Musgrave and his colleagues, however, have said that evidence from the … Read more : Was Alexander the Great’s half-brother buried at Vergina?.

Soon: ‘Acoustic fingerprints’ to turn keypad phones into touch screen ones!

LONDON – Mobile phone users who have always longed for a touch-screen phone have reason to rejoice, for new software renders the entire casing and LCD display of a standard phone sensitive to touch – or, rather, the sounds of touch.

Called TouchDevice, the software can convert your regular, ordinary phone into a touch screen phone, [..] Read the original article: here.

High testosterone levels linked to self-destructive CEO behaviour in M and As

WASHINGTON – Higher testosterone levels have been linked to higher aggression levels in men, and now a study indicates that in CEOs negotiating mergers and acquisitions, increased levels are linked to a higher rate of dropped deals and an increase in hostile takeover attempts.

“We find a strong association between male CEOs being young and their … Original source on Gaea Times at : High testosterone levels linked to self-destructive CEO behaviour in M and As.

Satellite data uncover seasonal pollution changes over India

WASHINGTON – Using satellite data of almost 10 years, University of Illinois atmospheric scientists have documented some surprising trends in aerosol pollution concentration, distribution and composition over the Indian subcontinent.

In addition to environmental impact, aerosol pollution, or tiny particles suspended in the air, can be detrimental to human health by causing a range of …. Source  : Satellite data uncover seasonal pollution changes over India.

Yamuna set to touch danger mark

NEW DELHI – With heavy rains in areas catchment areas near Delhi, the Yamuna is set to touch the danger mark of 204.83 meters Thursday evening, an official said.

The department of irrigation and flood control is on high alert but the official said there was nothing to worry — for now.
With huge volumes of … Read : Yamuna set to touch danger mark.

Weight loss linked to dementia, cancer

MELBOURNE – Researchers from the Kyungpook National University, Daegu, have said that losing weight can be toxic for your health, and even lead to dementia and cancer.

Long-term weight loss can lead to the release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the blood, which might in turn damage the internal organs of the body, they claimed.

POPs … Read : Weight loss linked to dementia, cancer.

‘Lunar bridge’ discovered on far side of Moon

MELBOURNE – NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has discovered a natural lunar bridge on the far side of the Moon.

Mark Robinson, Principal Investigator of the LRO Camera team, said that the bridge was seven metres wide and 20m long and spanned a canyon between two and four stories deep, reports News.com.au.

“Natural bridges on the …. Read the original article  : ‘Lunar bridge’ discovered on far side of Moon.

Fossil find indicates earliest life existed 270m years ago

MELBOURNE – A discovery of well-preserved fossils in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has revealed that life on Earth existed earlier than thought – 270 million years ago.

David Flannery at the University of New South Wales Australian Centre for Astrobiology said that the find indicates the earliest sign of oxygenic photosynthesis yet found.

According to ABC Science, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Fossil find indicates earliest life existed 270m years ago.

Oxygen bugs evolved 2.72 billion years ago

SYDNEY – Bug that produces oxygen may have evolved hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought.

Well-preserved fossils of stromatolites, a rock formation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, have been dated as 2.72 billion years old, more than 270 million years older than the previous oldest evidence of oxygenic photosynthesis. …. Read the original article  : here.

Tinkered-gene rice fights salinity, increases yield

MELBOURNE – A team of scientists in Australian claimed to have altered the genes of rice so as to improve its tolerance to toxic sodium ion and increase the crops’ yields.

The scientists from the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) at the University of Adelaide worked in collaboration with colleagues based in Cairo, Copenhagen … Read more »».

Get ready to see the elusive ‘False Dawn’ of zodiacal light next week

WASHINGTON – Over the next week, sky-watchers in the Northern Hemisphere will get a rare chance to see an elusive celestial pyramid known as the zodiacal light.

The triangular tower of light is easiest to spot around the spring and fall equinoxes.

People can look … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Get ready to see the elusive ‘False Dawn’ of zodiacal light next week.

New discoveries make ancient animal explosion bigger

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered eight new kinds of the earliest animals from the Cambrian Explosion in a unexpected section of ancient rock 30 miles from the famous Burgess Shale of Canada.

The new discoveries are remarkable because they preserve features of animals which …. Source  : New discoveries make ancient animal explosion bigger.

Ancient Greeks ‘the first to spot Halley’s comet’

LONDON – Greeks in the 5th century BC were the first to spot the Halley’s comet-an event that marked a turning point in the history of astronomy.

According to ancient authors, from Aristotle onwards, a meteorite the size of a “wagonload” crashed into northern Greece sometime between 466 and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ancient Greeks ‘the first to spot Halley’s comet’.

‘Sponge on a string’ can check oesophageal cancer risk

LONDON – UK experts have claimed that swallowing a sponge on a piece of string could help prevent a deadly form of cancer.

Medical Research Council scientists have created the “cytosponge” which collects cells from the stomach, reports the BBC.

These cells can be checked for a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, … Original article on : ‘Sponge on a string’ can check oesophageal cancer risk.

Mars had ‘recent’ interaction with water and volcanoes, finds study

WASHINGTON – Liquid water has interacted with the Martian surface throughout the planet’s history and into modern times, according to data from NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander.

The research also offers new evidence that volcanic activity has persisted on the Red Planet into geologically recent times, several …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mars had ‘recent’ interaction with water and volcanoes, finds study.

Experts disagree on whether big farms are riskier, but agree egg recall shows potential danger

Experts say big egg farms can mean big problems

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – From the first days of the recent recall of 550 million eggs from two Iowa farms, one issue about large-scale agriculture has been clear: When something goes wrong on a big farm, it’s going to be a big problem.
It’s a point even some supporters …. Original source  : Experts disagree on whether big farms are riskier, but agree egg recall shows potential danger.

Philips ‘AirFryer’ uses hot air to make chips without any oil

LONDON – You can now eat fried food in a healthy way, for Philips has invented a frying machine that it claims gives you that same satisfying fatty taste – but without the oil.

The AirFryer uses Rapid Air Technology, hot air in other words, to cook the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Philips ‘AirFryer’ uses hot air to make chips without any oil.

Toyota to build a $300 million plant in Melbourne to produce greener engines

Toyota plant in Australia to build greener engines

MELBOURNE, Australia – Toyota will build a 300 million Australian dollars ($277 million) plant in Melbourne that will produce greener engines that deliver reduced carbon emissions, the company said Friday.
The plant will begin operations in the second half of 2012, said Toyota Australia chief executive Max Yasuda. It …. Original article  : Toyota to build a $300 million plant in Melbourne to produce greener engines.

After years of red tape, Revolution museum plans to build in Philadelphia near Liberty Bell

Revolution museum settles on Philly after 11 years

PHILADELPHIA – A spot for a Revolutionary War museum has finally been chosen after 11 years of planning and bureaucratic squabbling – about three years longer than it took the Colonies to win independence.
Under an agreement that becomes official Friday, the National Park Service will hand over a …. Original article  : After years of red tape, Revolution museum plans to build in Philadelphia near Liberty Bell.

Punjab, Haryana villages flooded as rivers rise alarmingly

CHANDIGARH – Close to 75 villages in Punjab and Haryana were flooded and thousands of acres of farm land inundated as the Yamuna, Satluj and other rivers rose to alarming levels and overflowed their banks due to incessant rains, an official said Friday.

The rainfall over the past few days in the region and in the … Read more : Punjab, Haryana villages flooded as rivers rise alarmingly.

Deceptive robots to revolutionise military, search and rescue operations

WASHINGTON – In what is believed to be the first detailed examination of robot deception, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology made a robot dodge an enemy soldier by creating a false trail and hiding so that it will not be caught.

In the future, robots capable of deception may be valuable for several different … Read more >>.

‘Iran building secret underground nuclear plant’

LONDON – Iran has been secretly building a vast underground nuclear plant 200 metres deep inside a desert mountain ridge in east of Tehran, in violation of the UN sanction regime, an anti-Iran group has claimed.

The People’s Mujahedeen of Iran, which had previously revealed secret atomic plants at Natanz and Qom that the Iranian regime … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Iran building secret underground nuclear plant’.

Repeated exposure key to remembering faces

LONDON – Faces and words that reactivate neural patterns in the same region of the brain over and over again are more likely to be remembered, revealed a study.

People find it easier to recall things if material is presented repeatedly at well-spaced intervals rather than all at once.

For …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Log on to www.pulseofthetweeters.com to know Twitter’s most influential people

WASHINGTON – If you thought Ashton Kutcher, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears were the most influential people on Twitter with an ever-increasing list of followers, then you are wrong, according to researchers from Northwestern University.

The researchers have said that just because one has …. Source article  : Log on to www.pulseofthetweeters.com to know Twitter’s most influential people.

Himachal rivers may abate, ease Punjab, Haryana floods

SHIMLA – The flow in rivers and streams running downstream from Himachal Pradesh to neighbouring Punjab and Haryana is likely to abate as the rains are receding, the weatherman said here Friday.

Moderate to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh in the past few days is among the factors that have contributed to a flood-like situation …. Source  : Himachal rivers may abate, ease Punjab, Haryana floods.

Delhi to remain sultry, light rains expected

NEW DELHI – Delhi woke up to a wet morning Friday and the weather office forecast partly cloudy sky and light rains during the day, which is expected to be sultry.

“There may not be much rains but the sky will remain partly cloudy. There is possibility of light rains in some parts,” said an official …. Source article  : Delhi to remain sultry, light rains expected.

Activist says endangered right whale beached in Brazil is too weak to be rescued

Activist: Beached whale in Brazil can’t be saved

SAO PAULO – An animal-rights activist says an endangered right whale stranded on a beach in southern Brazil for two days is too weak to be rescued and returned safely to the sea.
Elizabeth Carvalho da Rocha is head of the right-whale protection area in Brazil. She is quoted … Read more »»».

EPA officials tell Kan. legislators that state must get in line with new greenhouse gas rules

EPA officials: Kan. must revise air permit process
TOPEKA, Kan. – Federal officials told Kansas legislators Thursday that the state will be expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions as it considers air-quality permits for power plants, large factories, and oil refineries – and if it refuses, the Environmental Protection Agency could step in.
Regional EPA …. Read the original article  : here.

Wisdom teeth could be stem cell source

WASHINGTON – Is wisdom teeth just an annoyance for you? Well, its time to change your opinion, for according to researchers, wisdom teeth contain a valuable reservoir of tissue for the creation of stem cells.

This means that everyone might be carrying around his or her own personal stem-cell repository in case of need.

A team of … Read more : Wisdom teeth could be stem cell source.

Graphene films can act as artificial membrane to speed up DNA sequencing

LONDON – Researchers from Harvard University and MIT have demonstrated that graphene, a surprisingly robust planar sheet of carbon just one-atom thick, can act as an artificial membrane separating two liquid reservoirs.

By drilling a tiny pore just a few-nanometers in diameter, called a nanopore, in the graphene membrane, they could measure exchange of ions through … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Graphene films can act as artificial membrane to speed up DNA sequencing.

Amateur astronomers open potential lab in outer space for scientists

WASHINGTON – Two amateur astronomers, who independently observed and videotaped an asteroid striking the giant planet Jupiter on June 3, have opened a potential giant research lab in space for planetary scientists.

According to a study by professional astronomers, the asteroid was eight to 13 meters in diameter and packed a punch equivalent to a 250- … Read : Amateur astronomers open potential lab in outer space for scientists.

Mysteries of ‘Green Pea’ galaxies unveiled

WASHINGTON – An astronomer has unveiled the mysteries of strange so-called ‘Green Pea’ galaxies.

First discovered in 2007 by amateur stargazers, it has now been shown that these extraordinary and extremely compact star cities have low amounts of complex elements after being diluted by streams of gas and strong supernova winds.

And the latest announcement will … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mysteries of ‘Green Pea’ galaxies unveiled.

Intelligent cat flap with microchip is bliss for worried cat owners in UK

LONDON – An intelligent cat flap, which uses a pet’s microchip to ensure only a verified animal enters and leaves the home, is selling like hot cakes in the UK.

With the technology, owners can stop their pets leaving the home at certain times of the day.

The technology allows cats to, in effect, open their cat …. Source  : Intelligent cat flap with microchip is bliss for worried cat owners in UK.

DARPA eyes mind-controlling helmets for soldiers

MELBOURNE – The US Army’s science department is working to develop helmets that can influence a soldier’s brain.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) says it is researching technology that stimulates the brain through implants, which allows relieving stress during combat and improves his battlefield awareness.

The helmet will transmit “transcranial pulsed ultrasound” waves into a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : DARPA eyes mind-controlling helmets for soldiers.

US navy eyes ‘dial-a-blast’ bomb to minimize civilian casualties

LONDON – The US navy is planning to develop a bomb whose damage can be controlled and manipulated.

The navy is looking to create a bomb weighing 200 kilograms that can either be detonated at full or reduced power.

The idea is that the device could be loaded onto planes before a target has been identified, and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Drug shows promise against debilitating condition of diabetes

WASHINGTON – A drug has the potential to stop a debilitating condition of diabetes that often leads to pain in the extremities and even amputations, say scientists.

The drug has been developed at the University of Kansas.

The researchers have found that KU-32 can stop and even reverse diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or DPN, in mice.

The condition leads … Read : Drug shows promise against debilitating condition of diabetes.

World’s first anesthesia given via videoconferencing across continents

WASHINGTON – In a world first, doctors at McGill’s Department of Anesthesia treated patients undergoing thyroid gland surgery in Italy remotely via videoconferencing from Montreal on August 30 (10).

Dr. Thomas Hemmerling and his team used the approach, which is part of new technological advancements, known as ‘Teleanesthesia’.

And the new approach involves a team of engineers, … Read more : World’s first anesthesia given via videoconferencing across continents.

New systems to extract water from air, discover pipeline leaks, clean sewage water

WASHINGTON – New water systems, to be unveiled soon, could extract precious drinking water from air, discover a leak in pipeline systems and even effectively clean sewage water.

Water is a valuable resource, and thus14 Fraunhofer institutes have joined forces in the Fraunhofer Alliance SysWasser to come up with sustainable water system technologies.

They will be … Read : New systems to extract water from air, discover pipeline leaks, clean sewage water.

First geometric ‘atlas’ of Internet created

LONDON – Scientists have created the first geometric “atlas” of the Internet as part of a project to prevent our most ubiquitous form of communication from collapsing within the next decade or so.

San Diego Supercomputer Center and Cooperative Association for Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) at the University of California, San Diego, in a collaboration with … Read this article on Gaea Times at : First geometric ‘atlas’ of Internet created.

Muscle cramp drug ‘better than aspirin at preventing strokes’

LONDON – A drug used to ease cramp is more effective at preventing strokes than aspirin, a new research has revealed.

During the study, scientists discovered that the drug reduced the risk of a stroke by a quarter and the risk of dangerous side-effects by a half in patients, reports the Telegraph.

The findings are particularly important …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Muscle cramp drug ‘better than aspirin at preventing strokes’.

A hot cuppa in hand makes us more trusting

LONDON – Want to ask someone for a favour? Well, hand them a hot cup of coffee or tea before you do so, for a new study has revealed that we become more trusting when our hands are warm – making requests more likely to be granted.

It is believed that we are programmed to seek … Read more : A hot cuppa in hand makes us more trusting.

Iron overload may speed up Alzheimer’s

LONDON – Iron overload could be behind the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new research.

The study by researchers in Australia also reveals the role of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), which forms plaques in affected brains.

To each the conclusion, Jack Rogers at the University of Melbourne and colleagues, used mouse studies, healthy human brain … Read more »».

Stephen Hawking, a Simpsons character?

LONDON – Noted British physicist Stephen Hawking, who avoids people asking questions, has said there is a common misconception that he is a “Simpsons character”.

When asked what distracts him?, Hawking told The Guardian: “People asking me questions. I can concentrate and ignore everything else.”
Speaking about the most common misconception about his work, the 68-year-old … Read more »»».

Soon, cars that change colours according to owner’s mood and sunlight

SYDNEY – Get ready to see future car with “chameleon paint” which would change its colour according to the owner’s mood or clothing on a particular day.

In fact, tomorrow’s car could also have windscreens made from plastic instead of glass in an effort to reduce weight and save fuel, while buttons could be replaced by [..] Read the original article: here.

Stephen Hawking says he’s often mistaken for a Simpsons character

LONDON – British scientist Stephen Hawking has joked that he is often mistaken for a Simpsons character.

The eminent physicist and cosmologist, who has appeared as himself several times in the popular American cartoon, said it was the most common misconception people had about his work.

Professor Hawking made the comments to The Guardian Newspaper’s Weekend … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Stephen Hawking says he’s often mistaken for a Simpsons character.

Soon, online Avatars to turn more lifelike with realistic gestures and voice

LONDON – While Avatars offer a better way to communicate with their graphics and sound quality, researchers have developed a new software that may help virtual characters appear more lifelike by imbuing them with realistic body language.

Rather than assign physical gestures based on the literal meaning of a person’s spoken words, the program focuses …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Soon, online Avatars to turn more lifelike with realistic gestures and voice.

Rainy day ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – It was a cool Saturday morning in Delhi as it rained in many parts of the city and the weatherman predicted more showers as the day progresses.

“The skies will remain cloudy and parts of the city will receive thundershowers or rains,” said an official of the Indian Meteorological Department. … Read more : Rainy day ahead in Delhi.

Wyoming governor tells EPA state law prevents greenhouse gas regulations sought by feds

Governor to EPA: Wyo can’t regulate greenhouse gas

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The governor of the state with the most greenhouse gas emissions per person is telling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that state law forbids regulation of greenhouse gases.
The EPA has told 13 states to toughen up their rules to regulate greenhouse gases by Jan. 2. …. Read the original article  : Wyoming governor tells EPA state law prevents greenhouse gas regulations sought by feds.

Rains hit Delhi hard, roads flooded

NEW DELHI – Roads were flooded, traffic went out of gear and normal life was hit in the national capital as heavy rains continued to pour since early Sunday morning. The weatherman predicted the rains would continue throughout the day.

The traffic police reported traffic jams at Monkey Bridge, Mori Gate, Daula Kuan, Model Town, Azadpur, … Original article on : Rains hit Delhi hard, roads flooded.

Yamuna level recedes in Haryana but rains expected

CHANDIGARH – The water level in the Yamuna river has started receding, but the Haryana Met office Sunday predicted moderate to heavy rains for the day – igniting fears that the relief might be short lived.

Yamuna was in spate for the last few days, flooding nearly 125 villages of Yamunanagar, Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Bhiwani and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rains lash Delhi, more to follow

NEW DELHI – Delhi saw heavy rains Sunday morning that caused waterlogging and slowed down traffic in some areas. The downpour is likely to continue throughout the day, the weatherman said.

“There may be one or two spells of heavy rains in some areas,” an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The national …. Source article  : Rains lash Delhi, more to follow.

Did aliens stop by Australian highway?

SYDNEY – An elderly Australian woman has claimed she was once stopped by two extra-terrestrial beings on a “Ford-like spaceship” that stopped by a highway.

Betty from Alice Springs in Northern Territory state said her close encounter occurred in 1969, when she was driving towards Alice Springs at 4 a.m. with her six-year-old daughter.
She said …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New sorting function for Gmail

HAMBURG – Google is introducing a new sorting function for its e-mail service to help users gain mastery over the flood of information.

The Gmail inbox now offers a view that shows the most important messages first.
An algorithm evaluates specific properties, such as whether a user reads e-mails from a given sender and whether they … Original source on Gaea Times at : New sorting function for Gmail.

Swollen Yamuna poses flood threat to Agra

AGRA – Hundreds of families living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna river in Agra and Mathura districts of Uttar Pradesh were shifted to safe areas Saturday as the river level inched closer to the danger mark in the Taj city, officials said.

In Agra, the water level continued to rise Saturday though it remained a …. Source  : Swollen Yamuna poses flood threat to Agra.

Yamuna water level receding: Haryana officials

CHANDIGARH – Water level in the Yamuna river, which was in spate for the last few days, has started receding, Haryana government officials said Saturday.

Officials said they have also observed a decline in the discharge from Hathni Kund barrage into the river.
Meanwhile, rescue and safety work in the flood affected villages in the state’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yamuna water level receding: Haryana officials.

Researchers delve into secrets of fireflies, other glowing creatures for military uses

Military eyes glowing secrets of fireflies, others

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Someday, the secrets of fireflies or glowing sea plankton could save an American soldier in battle, a Navy SEAL on a dive or a military pilot landing after a mission.
That’s the hope behind a growing field of military-sponsored research into bioluminescence, a phenomenon that’s under … Original source on Gaea Times at : Researchers delve into secrets of fireflies, other glowing creatures for military uses.

Misfolded neural proteins linked to autism disorders identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified misfolding and other molecular anomalies in a key brain protein due to gene mutation may lead to autism spectrum disorders.

An international team, led by researchers at the University of California, found that misfolding of a protein called neuroligin-3, due to gene mutations, results in trafficking deficiencies that may lead to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Misfolded neural proteins linked to autism disorders identified.

New neurological deficit behind lazy eye identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have apparently identified a new neurological deficit behind amblyopia, or ‘lazy eye’.

Their findings shed additional light on how amblyopia results from disrupted links between the brain and normal visual processing.

Previous research on amblyopia has largely focused on one aspect of visual processing-that in the primary visual cortex, or V1.

Researchers at New York …. Source article  : New neurological deficit behind lazy eye identified.

Secrets of 2,500-year-old mummy revealed

WASHINGTON – Forensic artists have created an extraordinary image of the face of a 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy, which was unveiled at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

In an unusual collaboration, artists from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), worked with a Kansas City cardiologist and a Nelson-Atkins curator to scientifically analyse the … Original article on : Secrets of 2,500-year-old mummy revealed.

Study on genetics in fruit flies sheds light on brain function

WASHINGTON – Researchers studying neurobiology in fruit flies (Drosophila) have come up with a new method to understand brain function with potential applications in studies of human neurological diseases.

Bing Zhang of University of Oklahoma used fruit flies as a model to understand what happens in …. Original article  : Study on genetics in fruit flies sheds light on brain function.

Hundreds of Africanized bees attack rice farmers in Guyana, kill 1, police say

Africanized bees swarm Guyana rice farmers, kill 1

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Hundreds of Africanized “killer” bees have stung a rice farmer to death in the South American nation of Guyana. It is the second such death of a Guyanese farmer in two weeks.
Police identify the latest victim as 45-year-old Jerome O’Brian Scott. A statement says Scott …. Original source  : Hundreds of Africanized bees attack rice farmers in Guyana, kill 1, police say.

Land swap allows Revolution museum to build in Philadelphia, Valley Forge to preserve 78 acres

Revolutionary museum swap: Valley Forge for Philly

PHILADELPHIA – A land swap that will bring a Revolutionary War museum to Philadelphia and preserve 78 acres of land at nearby Valley Forge was heralded as a victory by those on both sides of what had been a contentious battle over the historic battlefield.
Under the agreement signed at … Read more >>.

NRC chief’s opinion on blended radioactive waste could affect company’s plan for Utah project

NRC opinion could affect Utah firm nuke waste plan

SALT LAKE CITY – An opinion by the head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could delay a decision about whether blended radioactive waste can be buried in Utah, according to a newspaper report.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday that NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko wants the commission to [..] Read the original article: here.

Oil and gas industry says there’s no need for EPA regulation of natural gas drilling practice

Industry: No need for EPA to regulate gas drilling

WASHINGTON – The oil and natural gas industry is willing to cooperate with a federal study of natural gas drilling, but opposes regulation of a practice known as hydraulic fracturing.
The Environmental Protection Agency has asked nine natural gas companies to disclose the chemical components used in that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Yamuna rise has Agra residents in panic

AGRA – People living along the Yamuna in Agra and Mathura were in panic mode Friday as the river began to rise, threatening low-lying areas with flooding.

The Divisional Commissioner of Agra has directed officials in Agra and Mathura districts to draw up contingency plans, cancel holidays of civic employees and health department personnel. The Provincial … Read more : Yamuna rise has Agra residents in panic.

Villages inundated in Haryana as Yamuna overflows banks (Second Lead)

CHANDIGARH – Fresh breaches in the embankments of the Yamuna river emerged in various places in Haryana’s Panipat, Sonepat and Karnal districts, flooding almost 30 villages and damaging national highways passing through the affected areas, officials said Friday.

Besides, hundreds of acres of agricultural land was inundated in these three districts as well as low-lying areas … Read more >>.

Government says it’s back in business of funding embryonic stem cell research _ for now

NIH to resume funding stem cell research for now
WASHINGTON – The government said Friday it’s back in the business of funding embryonic stem cell research – at least for now – after an appeals court temporarily lifted a judge’s ban.
The National Institutes of Health said it is resuming its own research …. Read the original article  : Government says it’s back in business of funding embryonic stem cell research _ for now.

Haryana not releasing water in Yamuna deliberately

CHANDIGARH – Haryana Friday denied it was deliberately releasing water into the Yamuna river, thus posing a flood threat in Delhi.

“Hathni Kund is a barrage and not a dam. Therefore Haryana cannot release water from Hathni Kund barrage but it automatically flows down into Yamuna, with the natural flow,” state Principal Secretary (Irrigation) S.S. Dhillon …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Haryana not releasing water in Yamuna deliberately.

A pot belly increases your risk of bowel cancer

LONDON – That beer belly or a “muffin top” your friends find cute is more dangerous than it appears-it can dramatically increase the risk of bowel cancer, according to a study.

A shocking study revealed that for every inch above a …. Original article  : A pot belly increases your risk of bowel cancer.

New Eagle chip to power nextgen super smartphones

LONDON – You seem to think your iPad is pretty cool? Wait for a new chip that will help make even more advanced generation of ’super smartphones’.

ARM Holdings, the UK microchip unit behind the success of Apple’s mobile devices, said its new chip, code-named Eagle, would allow Apple and other mobile phone makers, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New Eagle chip to power nextgen super smartphones.

Chefs, foodies seek the newest thing in food in oldest way: foraging for roots, flowers, nuts

Foodies turn to foraging to connect with nature

SAN FRANCISCO – When Chef Josh Skenes first sought the flavor of Northern California, he went to local growers. Then he went beyond farms, joining a growing number of urbanites who are returning to humanity’s first pursuit – foraging – in a search for food that satisfies a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chefs, foodies seek the newest thing in food in oldest way: foraging for roots, flowers, nuts.

MRSA infection linked to high mortality

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that a MRSA infection with a reduced susceptibility to the antibiotic drug vancomycin is linked to high mortality.

A Henry Ford Hospital study has found that patients who contracted a MRSA infection with heteroresistance, called … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : MRSA infection linked to high mortality.

You are likely to pay more for goods you can touch

WASHINGTON – Disagreeing with popular predictions that online shopping would soon take over shopping in stores and malls, researchers have suggested that people are almost 50 percent more likely to buy products they could touch as compared to the ones with pictorial representation.

While it’s … Read more >>.

Rapidly freezing sperm offers fresh hope for IVF couples

LONDON – Scientists have apparently found a new technique for rapidly freezing sperm that could be a fresh hope to couples undergoing IVF.

Experts have discovered that fast-freezing sperm preserves far more of its motility than present slow-freezing method, reports the Independent.

They expect that the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Rapidly freezing sperm offers fresh hope for IVF couples.

Swimming in indoor pools could increase cancer risk

WASHINGTON – Taking a dip in indoor chlorinated pools may induce genotoxicity (DNA damage that may lead to cancer) as well as respiratory problems, revealed a study.

However, the authors of the study claimed that the positive health effects of [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, artificial skin made of nanowires

LONDON – Using semiconductor nanowires, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a pressure-sensitive electronic material that could one day give new meaning to the term “thin-skinned.”

The artificial skin, dubbed “e-skin” by the researchers, is the first such material made …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, artificial skin made of nanowires.

Gene discovery could pave way for nearsightedness treatments

LONDON – Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have uncovered a gene linked with myopia or nearsightedness in Caucasian people from several different regions, including Dutch, British and Australian subjects.

The discovery …. Read the original article  : here.

Online war despatch: Officer to tweet from Afghan frontline

LONDON – A senior British Army officer will start using the online social networking site Twitter from next month to inform the world about the frontline in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Daily Telegraph Monday reported that Lieutenant Colonel Dougie Graham, who is commanding officer of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, plans to … Read : Online war despatch: Officer to tweet from Afghan frontline.

Involve people to conserve Himalayas, stop big dams: Environmentalists

NEW DELHI – Condemning the massive dams being built across the length and breadth of the Himalayas, prominent environmentalists say involving the mountain people in development efforts, large-scale tree plantation and small dams could provide answers to many a problem.

“It is unfortunate that large-scale dams are being constructed. They devastate the environment and uproot people … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Involve people to conserve Himalayas, stop big dams: Environmentalists.

Gas drilling industry, environmentalists prepare their cases for EPA’s NY hearing, last of 4

EPA to hold NY hearing, last of 4, on gas drilling

ALBANY, N.Y. – The oil and gas industry is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to keep a narrow focus in its study of how a drilling technique that involves blasting chemical-laced water into the ground may affect drinking water – while environmental groups want the …. Original source  : Gas drilling industry, environmentalists prepare their cases for EPA’s NY hearing, last of 4.

Scientists find drugs, antiseptics that may help fight fungus that’s wiping out bats

Scientists find drugs that may fight bat disease

BOSTON – Scientists may have found some ways to help the nation’s bats, which are being wiped out by a novel fungal disease.
Lab tests show that several drugs can fight the germ and that some antiseptics might help decontaminate areas where bats live or the shoes and hands … Read more >>.

Scientists at Mass. meeting say drugs, antiseptics may help fight fungus that’s killing bats

Scientists in Mass.: Drugs may fight bat disease

BOSTON – Scientists at a meeting in Massachusetts say they may have found some ways to help the nation’s bats, which are being wiped out by a novel fungal disease.
Lab tests show several drugs can fight the germ and some antiseptics might help decontaminate areas where bats live …. Source article  : Scientists at Mass. meeting say drugs, antiseptics may help fight fungus that’s killing bats.

Yechury backs Pachauri on nuclear power

NEW DELHI – R.K. Pachauri, whose UN panel on climate change has shared the Nobel Peace Prize, Sunday described nuclear power as an important source of India’s future energy needs. Extending unusual support to him was Communist Party Of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury.

“Nuclear energy is definitely going to be an important source of energy … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yechury backs Pachauri on nuclear power.

Delhi lashed by heavy rains; road, rail traffic hit (Intro Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Heavy rains lashed the capital Sunday, throwing life out of gear in many parts due to waterlogging and causing traffic jams, even as a crematorium adjacent to the swollen Yamuna river was forced to shut as it was flooded.

The Met department has predicted a few spells of rains or thundershowers Monday, signalling … Read more »».

Heavy rains hit Delhi hard; road, rail traffic hit (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Heavy rains lashed the capital Sunday, throwing life out of gear in many parts due to waterlogging and causing traffic jams, even as a crematorium adjacent to the swollen Yamuna river was forced to shut as it was flooded.

The rains, one of the heaviest this season, brought low-lying areas under water and … Original article on : Heavy rains hit Delhi hard; road, rail traffic hit (Roundup).

Cargo ship docks with International Space Station

Cargo ships docks with space station
MOSCOW – An unmanned Russian space capsule carrying tons of food, water and supplies to the International Space Station has docked with an orbiting laboratory Sunday.

A video feed from Russian mission control just outside Moscow reported the docking took place on automatic systems without problems at 3:58 p.m. (1258 GMT; …. Original source  : Cargo ship docks with International Space Station.

Hybrid, electric car battery program funded by federal stimulus beginning to bear fruit

Production of stimulus-aided car batteries revs up

WASHINGTON – The first wave of mass-produced advanced batteries funded by the Obama administration’s economic recovery program is starting to roll off assembly lines, setting the stage for new hybrid and electric vehicles.
So how will consumers respond?
Fending off criticism of the $787 billion stimulus program, the administration has cited …. Source article  : Hybrid, electric car battery program funded by federal stimulus beginning to bear fruit.

Cattle’s eyes may become new windows to detect mad cow disease

LONDON – A team of researchers, led by Iowa State University, US, says that the eyes of cattle may reveal signs of neurological disorders such as mad cow disease.

Noticing the symptoms early may help prevent infected meat from getting into the food supply, according to researchers.

The team examined the retinas of sheep infected with scrapie …. Read the original article  : Cattle’s eyes may become new windows to detect mad cow disease.

Football playing robots to change how rescue ops are conducted

WASHINGTON – Football playing robots could soon defeat a human team, claim their creators, who think their advance could drive the development of artificial intelligence and robotic technology towards roles including search and rescue and home help.

The author of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Football playing robots to change how rescue ops are conducted.

Spring is the perfect mating season for IVF couples: Study

LONDON – Spring is the mating season among animals, and now scientists say the same is true for humans too- they have found that couples trying for babies with IVF are more likely to conceive in spring than at any other time of year.

Scientists discovered that those who had treatment …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Spring is the perfect mating season for IVF couples: Study.

Brains of World War II Dutch famine babies ‘aging faster’

LONDON – Researchers have found that those who were developing in the womb during the severe World War II food shortages were in a worse condition than others of similar ages at mental tests almost 60 years later.

Scientists said the 1944 Dutch “famine” … Original article on : Brains of World War II Dutch famine babies ‘aging faster’.

How body recycles itself captured on camera

LONDON – Researchers have discovered how cells decide what to recycle and have captured it on camera.

Our bodies recycle proteins, the fundamental building blocks that enable cell growth and development. Proteins are made up of a chain of amino acids and since the 1980s, scientists have … Read more >>.

Overhearing mobile conversations ‘more annoying than regular chit-chats’

MELBOURNE – People get more distracted and annoyed by overhearing others talking on phone than by regular conversations, a new study suggests.

Researchers have said that ‘halfalogue’-a term given to the half of a dialogue that people hear when someone …. Source article  : Overhearing mobile conversations ‘more annoying than regular chit-chats’.

Illegal party drug may drive away the blues within 40 minutes

LONDON – The fastest treatment for depression may lie in a horse tranquilliser, according to a new study, which demonstrated the benefits of the drug within 40 minutes.

This compares with the weeks, even months, it takes with traditional antidepressants, reports the … Read more >>.

People with lots of friends live 3.7yrs longer than those who are isolated

LOS ANGELES – Want a longer, healthier life? Well, the best medicine is the support of family and friends.

That’s the conclusion of a new U.S. study, which found that the secret to a long, healthy life is having a strong social network.

Researchers at Brigham Young University and the University …. Read the original article  : here.

Soon, cell phones to be powered by conversations!

WASHINGTON – The more you talk, the longer your cell phone battery will last – that’s the future scientists have predicted with a new technology that converts sound to electricity.

Scientists from Korea have turned the main ingredient of calamine lotion …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Soon, cell phones to be powered by conversations!.

Liquid nitrogen ‘best treatment for common warts’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is the most effective method to remove common warts.

The study, a randomized controlled trial, looked at 240 participants aged 4 to 79 in the Netherlands. The … Original article on : Liquid nitrogen ‘best treatment for common warts’.

Wide-handed astronauts ‘more likely to have their fingernails fall off’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that astronauts with wider hands are more likely to have their fingernails fall off after working or training in space suit gloves.

The trouble is that the gloves, like the entire space suit, need to simulate the pressure of Earth’s atmosphere in … Read more : Wide-handed astronauts ‘more likely to have their fingernails fall off’.

Taiwan charity delivers eco-blankets to disaster victims in Haiti, soon in Pakistan

Taiwan charity sends eco-friendly blankets as aid

TAIPEI, Taiwan – A Taiwanese Buddhist charity is helping disaster victims stay warm – and eco-friendly – with fleece blankets made from recycled plastic bottles.
The Tzu Chi Foundation, known for performing good works for those in need, dispatched thousands of the eco-blankets to survivors of this year’s massive earthquake …. Source  : Taiwan charity delivers eco-blankets to disaster victims in Haiti, soon in Pakistan.

Water released from Himachal’s Pong dam

SHIMLA – Water was released from Himachal Pradesh’s Pong dam into the Beas river Tuesday morning as it was near the danger mark in the reservoir. This is the first time in 15 years that the spillways were opened as a precautionary measure.

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chief engineer V.N. Goel told IANS over telephone … Read more »».

Homes under water, many Delhi residents have nowhere to go

NEW DELHI – Unending rains, the swollen Yamuna river and dirty sewage water have made life hell for thousands of people in Delhi’s low lying areas, many of whom are spending their days on pavements and rooftops. Wading through knee-deep water and not even able to cook a day’s meal, their lives have come undone.

A …. Read the original article  : Homes under water, many Delhi residents have nowhere to go.

Video games ‘help us make right decisions faster’

WASHINGTON – Playing action video games trains people to make the right decisions faster, according to scientists.

Researchers from the University of Rochester found that video game players develop a heightened sensitivity to what is going on around them, … Read : Video games ‘help us make right decisions faster’.

Males who bulk up as babies ‘grow up to have more sex partners’

WASHINGTON – Well-fed males who gain weight quickly as babies grow taller and end up having more sexual partners, a new study has suggested.

Previously researchers had known that all male newborns get a surge of adult-strength testosterone for a brief period.

Researchers examined nearly 800 Filipino …. Original source  : Males who bulk up as babies ‘grow up to have more sex partners’.

Intel’s Sandy Bridge chipset ‘to revolutionise PC market’

LONDON – The world’s biggest chipmaker, Intel, is set to shake up the PC market with its new chipset, code-named Sandy Bridge.

Sandy Bridge is Intel’s first architecture to merge a microprocessor and graphics processor onto a single silicon chipIntel …. Original article  : Intel’s Sandy Bridge chipset ‘to revolutionise PC market’.

Why our brains get tripped up when we’re anxious

WASHINGTON – Scientists have elucidated the brain mechanisms that allow us to make choices and ultimately could be helpful in improving treatments for the millions of people who suffer from the effects of anxiety disorders.

In the study, University of Colorado at Boulder … Read more >>>.

Bargain shopping ‘feels as good as sex’

LONDON – It is often said that retail therapy really works for those who have a poor love life – and now a new study has discovered why.

The research has shown that shoppers get the same level of emotional excitement when … Original article on : Bargain shopping ‘feels as good as sex’.

Hills overlooking Manali get first snowfall

MANALI – Higher reaches of this Himachal Pradesh’s picturesque tourist town experienced season’s first snowfall, the weatherman said here Tuesday.

“Hills overlooking Manali received mild spells of snowfall Monday night,” Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office in Shimla, told IANS.
He said higher hills in Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Kullu districts also experienced …. Original article  : Hills overlooking Manali get first snowfall.

Scientists successfully ‘clone’ human virus

WASHINGTON – Welsh scientists say their successful cloning of a human virus could lead to new treatments for life-threatening diseases.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major infectious cause of congenital malformations worldwide. The virus is also known to cause life-threatening disease in transplant patients … Read more »»».

Horrifying nightmares ‘could be first sign of Parkinson’s disease’

LONDON – Those who shout or cry in their sleep could be more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, scientists have revealed.

Experts have found that people who suffer from a condition known as ‘REM sleep disturbance’ – which includes nightmares and sudden kicking movements – are more likely to develop Parkinson’s and other forms of dementia, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Horrifying nightmares ‘could be first sign of Parkinson’s disease’.

First artificial human ovary created

WASHINGTON – Scientists have created the first artificial human ovary, an advance that provides a potentially powerful new means for conducting fertility research and could also yield infertility treatments for cancer patients.

The team of researchers at Brown University and Women and Infants Hospital … Original source on Gaea Times at : First artificial human ovary created.

Blood test ‘predicts death from prostate cancer up to 25yrs in advance’

LONDON – Scientists say that a blood test at the age of 60 can accurately predict the risk that a man will die from prostate cancer within the next 25 years.

The findings, by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York, and Lund University, in Sweden, …. Read the original article  : Blood test ‘predicts death from prostate cancer up to 25yrs in advance’.

Breakthrough fertility technique could herald end of ‘biological clock’

LONDON – A new fertility technique could herald the end of the ‘biological clock – by allowing women to have babies well into their 50s and 60s.

The treatment, to be unveiled at the World Congress of Fertility and Sterility conference in Munich, Germany, uses injections …. Read the original article  : Breakthrough fertility technique could herald end of ‘biological clock’.

Yamuna flowing along Taj, providing a rare spectacle

AGRA – The Yamuna river in spate touching the foundation of the Taj Mahal is providing thousands of visitors a rare spectacle in Agra, “just the way the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had wanted it to look.”

“The original conceptual framework of the Taj Mahal considered Yamuna as an integral part and not as a separate … Read more : Yamuna flowing along Taj, providing a rare spectacle.

How brain switches from a wakeful to a sleeping state

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which the brain switches from a wakeful to a sleeping state. This could be a breakthrough for a set of discoveries, from sleeping aids …. Original article  : How brain switches from a wakeful to a sleeping state.

Beer-fetching robot up for grabs

LONDON – Fetching a can of beer, folding towels, plugging itself when needed recharge- a robot that can do all this and more is on sale.

Silicon Valley start-up Willow Garage has put its PR2 robot on general sale.

However, Willow Garage conceded that the price … Original source on Gaea Times at : Beer-fetching robot up for grabs.

Now, spray-on seamless fabric to change how clothes are worn

WASHINGTON – Bid adieu the daily hassle of choosing and fitting into those ever-shrinking clothes, for now a spray of a seamless fabric is all you need to cover your body.

Researchers are all set to unveil a seamless fabric that can be sprayed on to skin and other surfaces to make …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, spray-on seamless fabric to change how clothes are worn.

Women ‘more likely than men to agree with science on global warming’

WASHINGTON – A recent study on gender and climate change reveals women tend to believe the scientific consensus on global warming more than men.

The study challenges common perceptions that men are more scientifically literate, said Aaron M. McCright, an associate professor … Read more >>>.

Jupiter to appear brightest when it makes its closest pass by Earth on Sep 20th

WASHINGTON – On Monday, September 20th, Jupiter will appear brightest to skygazers, as it will come closest to the Earth at just 368 million miles away.

Although throughout September, on any clear night it will appear bigger than it used to be.

“Jupiter is always bright, but if you …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Jupiter to appear brightest when it makes its closest pass by Earth on Sep 20th.

India named the most dedicated country towards tiger conservation

WASHINGTON – India has been identified as the most important country for tigers with 18 source sites dedicated solely to their conservation, according to a recent study.

In a worrying discovery, the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups have found that most of the world’s …. Read the original article  : India named the most dedicated country towards tiger conservation.

Early alcohol, tobacco use might delay onset of puberty in girls

WASHINGTON – Early drinking and smoking might delay onset of puberty in girls, according to new study.

Puberty can start as early as age 7 or 8, but most girls start to develop breasts, the first sign of sexual development, between ages 9 and 13.

Late puberty in girls can have …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Early alcohol, tobacco use might delay onset of puberty in girls.

Wake up to harmful effects of Internet on our brains, says top scientist

LONDON – Society should be aware of the potentially harmful effects of the Internet on the brain, leading neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield, one of Britain’s most prominent female scientists, has said.

She claimed that the issue of ill effects of networking sites … Read more >>>.

Now, a website that predicts cancer survival

LONDON – A new website to help breast cancer patients predict their chances of survival has been launched.

It has been developed to provide greater accuracy through inputting data such as age, whether the tumour was detected by screening or the …. Original source  : Now, a website that predicts cancer survival.

It’s official: Men look at women’s faces over bodies for marriage

LONDON – Men look at women’s faces over bodies when it comes to a long-term relationship, such as marriage, according to a new research.

The results of study support the belief that men are instinctively attracted to women’s bodies if they are …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : It’s official: Men look at women’s faces over bodies for marriage.

Women believe in global warming more than men

WASHINGTON – Women tend to believe in the scientific consensus on global warming more than men, finds a recent study.

The findings challenge common perceptions that men are more scientifically literate, said sociologist Aaron M. McCright at the Michigan State University in the US.
“Men still claim they have a better understanding of global warming than … Original article on : Women believe in global warming more than men.

Monsoon in Himachal breaks 15-year record

SHIMLA – The plentiful southwest monsoon across Himachal Pradesh this year has broken the record of 15 years, the weather office said here Wednesday.

“From June 1 to Sep 14 the state saw 816.6 mm of rain against the normal average of 741.1 mm, which means the state got 10 percent more rainfall,” Manmohan Singh, director …. Read the original article  : Monsoon in Himachal breaks 15-year record.

Tiny tots able to understand irony, says study

TORONTO – Tiny tots as young as four are able to understand and use irony, says a new study.

“Previous studies concluded that irony wasn’t understood before the age of eight or 10,” says Stephanie Alexander, postdoctoral student in social and preventive medicine at the University of Montreal and a senior study author.
“However, … Read more »».

Last of tigers in six percent of habitat

WASHINGTON – Most of the world’s last remaining tigers are now clustered in just six percent of their available habitat.

A paper prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) identifies 42 “source sites” scattered across Asia that are now the last hope and greatest priority for the conservation and recovery of the world’s largest cat. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Last of tigers in six percent of habitat.

Watching others’ action can make you feel that you did it yourself

WASHINGTON – Watching someone else performing an action can make you imagine that you did it yourself, found a study on false memories.

In their quest to find out how false memories get created, psychological scientists happened to make the above discovery.

In an … Original article on : Watching others’ action can make you feel that you did it yourself.

Why autism is more prevalent in boys

WASHINGTON S – A new study provides further clues as to why boys are far more likely than girls to be diagnosed with autism.

The new research from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), both in Toronto, Canada discovered that males who carry specific alterations of DNA …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Placebo effect successfully treats women with sexual dysfunction

WASHINGTON S – A new study reveals that women with low sexual arousal experienced clinically significant symptom changes after taking a placebo.

Andrea Bradford, a psychologist at Baylor College of Medicine, along with co-author Cindy Meston, at the University of Texas at Austin, analyzed the behaviors and symptoms of 50 women who were randomly chosen to … Original article on : Placebo effect successfully treats women with sexual dysfunction.

Twitter unveils first major revamp since launch

LONDON – Twitter has unveiled its first major revamp since its launch four years ago.

The newly-introduced features make it easier for its 160 million users to view photos and videos.
The new look is designed to tempt users to linger on Twitter’s website for longer periods as an incentive to advertisers, reports the Daily Mail. [..] Read the original article: here.

Why girls kiss girls

WASHINGTON – Britney and Madonna created a roar with their much-publicised on-stage liplock, and so did Scarlett Johansson and Sandra Bullock. But what is it that makes women to indulge in such a sexual act with the same gender.

Sociology professor Verta Taylor, of the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Why girls kiss girls.

When men outnumber women, females marry younger

WASHINGTON – In a society where men outnumber women, females tend to tie the knot at a younger age and the age gap between spouses grows, revealed a University of Michigan study.

The study looked at the ratio of men to women in the 50 … Read more : When men outnumber women, females marry younger.

Rat-implanted biofuel-cell to power devices via body fluids

WASHINGTON – A newly-developed fuel cell is changing how alternative energy is derived from biofuels- the implanted device draws power from chemicals in living animals.

Dubbed a glucose biofuel cell, the implant gets its juice from glucose-aka blood sugar-and oxygen, both of … Read : Rat-implanted biofuel-cell to power devices via body fluids.

Prehistoric Chilean bird sets wingspan record at 17ft

WASHINGTON – At 17 feet, a prehistoric, bony-toothed bird from Chile has set the world wingspan record.

The measurement is based on well preserved wing bones from the newly named bird species, Pelagornis chilensis, a.k.a. “huge pseudoteeth” from Chile, which soared the … Read : Prehistoric Chilean bird sets wingspan record at 17ft.

Non-surgical fat reduction methods get FDA’s thumbs up

NEW YORK – Two forms of non-surgical, fat-reducing technology-freezing it with Zeltiq or laser with Zerona-have won FDA approval.

Neither treatment is designed to reduce large deposits of fat, but are instead shown to be effective on trouble spots, such as love handles and belly fat pooch.

Zeltiq chills fat, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Non-surgical fat reduction methods get FDA’s thumbs up.

Brit scientists crack gene code of blindness-causing disease

LONDON – Brit scientists have discovered the gene that could trigger glaucoma-a common eye disease that causes blindness.

Researchers predict it may soon be possible to screen people’s DNA to find out if they are at high risk of suffering … Original article on : Brit scientists crack gene code of blindness-causing disease.

Japanese read voice tones while Dutch read faces to assess others’ emotions

WASHINGTON – Japanese people gauge others’ emotions via voice tone, while Dutch people pay more attention to the facial expression to know how others are feeling, found a new study.

The study examines how Dutch and Japanese people assess others’ emotions.

“As humans are …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japanese read voice tones while Dutch read faces to assess others’ emotions.

Ginger effective for muscle pain relief

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that daily doses of raw or heat-treated ginger are effective for relieving muscle pain following strenuous exercise.

Though a favorite remedy of Chinese medicine practitioners for centuries, ginger has not been studied widely as a pain reliever.

Some research, however, … Read : Ginger effective for muscle pain relief.

Gene linked to high cholesterol in blood found

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a gene that causes high levels of bad cholesterol to accumulate in the blood as a result of a high-cholesterol diet.

Researchers at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio studied a strain of laboratory opossums developed … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gene linked to high cholesterol in blood found.

Thousands of birds trapped in New York’s 9/11 light beams

LONDON – The memorial lights switched on to mark the anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York have confused some 10,000 migratory birds which had difficulty navigating out of the beams, a media report said Thursday.

Two beams emanating from Manhattan, known as the Tribute of Light, had to be turned off five times … Read more »»».

Molecule involved in heart failure ‘also leads to heat attack damage’

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University has revealed that a molecule known to be involved in progressive heart failure has now been shown to also lead to permanent damage after a heart attack.

To prove this novel conclusion, the research …. Original source  : Molecule involved in heart failure ‘also leads to heat attack damage’.

Male skeleton in Greek tomb may be Alexander the Great’s father

WASHINGTON – New research has revealed that a cremated male skeleton in a lavish ancient Greek tomb is not Alexander the Great’s half-witted half-brother.

The research reignites a 33-year-long debate over whether the burned bones found in the tomb belong to Alexander … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Male skeleton in Greek tomb may be Alexander the Great’s father.

13 genes linked to human body mass found

WASHINGTON – Johns Hopkins scientists have found 13 genes linked to human body mass.

The experiments screened the so-called epigenome for key information that cells remember other than the DNA code itself and may have serious implications for preventing and [..] Read the original article: here.

Human vision inspired supercomputer may drive cars someday

WASHINGTON – Inspired by our remarkable ability to quickly navigate through the street recognizing cars, other people, trees and lampposts instantaneously, researchers at Yale have developed a supercomputer based on the human visual system that could one day operate cars on its own.

Dubbed NeuFlow, …. Original article  : Human vision inspired supercomputer may drive cars someday.

Cacao genome sequencing, a boon to chocolate lovers

WASHINGTON – Scientists have successfully sequenced the cacao genome, or the so-called chocolate gene-a feat that could give a much-needed boost to the U.S. chocolate industry.

The achievement made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists will help sustain the supply of high-quality cocoa to the 17 billion … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cacao genome sequencing, a boon to chocolate lovers.

Bile may harbour human Fountain Of Youth

WASHINGTON – A new research from Concordia University has put the human quest for longer life one step closer.

The new study is the first to identify the role of a bile acid, called lithocholic acid (LCA), in extending …. Read the original article  : here.

Regular aerobic exercise combats insomnia

WASHINGTON – Here’s a new drug-free prescription to help insomniacs get a good night’s sleep – regular aerobic exercise.

According to a small but significant new study from Northwestern Medicine, regular aerobic exercise improves the quality of sleep, mood and vitality.
The study is the first to examine the effect of …. Source  : Regular aerobic exercise combats insomnia.

Goa forest guards get motorbikes to check crime

PANAJI – Dealing with tiger poaching and illegal mining isn’t really a walk in the park. Perhaps that is why forest guards in Goa’s seven wildlife sanctuaries will now whiz through the woods on motorcycles to detect and check forest crime.

State Forest Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, who handed over 30 motorcycles to forest guards …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Goa forest guards get motorbikes to check crime.

A good chat ‘may be enough to improve women’s sex lives’

LONDON – Women with low sex drive might only need to talk about their problems to improve their love life, according to a new study.

Scientists discovered that a third of women who talked with doctors about sexual dysfunction later reported a greater satisfaction with their sex lives.

The discovery was made after 200 women in the …. Original article  : A good chat ‘may be enough to improve women’s sex lives’.

Good memory may be key to happiness

LONDON – A good working memory could be the key to a happy and successful life, according to a new study.

Dr Tracy Alloway, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, and colleagues found that people with a good working memory are more likely to be optimistic and self-assured.

Those whose working memory was poor were …. Original source  : Good memory may be key to happiness.

For 80mn years, Tyrannosaurs were the size of humans

WASHINGTON – Tyrannosaurus rex might be known as those giant-sized dinosaurs, but for their first 80 million years, they were small-timers-no bigger than humans, say researchers.

Recent fossil finds-including six new tyrannosaur species last year alone-suggest that T. rex’s genus had a mysterious growth spurt relatively late in its lineage, according to a review of tyrannosaur …. Source  : For 80mn years, Tyrannosaurs were the size of humans.

New method uses tooth fossil chips to determine what our ancestors ate

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered our early mammalian ancestors were vegetarians, vegans or omnivores? Well, a new method that measures the size of chips in tooth fossils can now reveal the kinds of foods early humans consumed.

Prof. Herzl Chai of Tel Aviv University’s School of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with scientists from George Washington University and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New method uses tooth fossil chips to determine what our ancestors ate.

Himalayas were formed after Indian plate was pushed 500 kms under Tibet

WASHINGTON – In what has been called the largest collision in the world-when India rammed into the Eurasian continent-the Indian plate was pushed about 500 kilometers under Tibet, reaching a depth of 250 kilometers, a new method has revealed.

While the collision resulted into the world’s highest mountain range, but the tsunami in the Indian Ocean … Read more >>.

Fat stem cells for breast reconstruction safe when cancer is dormant

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has suggested that fat-derived stem cells can be safely used to aid reconstruction of breast tissue after mastectomy as long as there is no evidence of active cancer.

Plastic surgeons have long moved fat from one part of the body into the breasts for reconstruction, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bacteria that may lead to inflammatory bowel disease identified

WASHINGTON – A study, led by Harvard School of Public Health researchers, has found that certain bacteria that inhabit the intestine provide the environmental trigger that initiates and perpetuates chronic intestinal inflammation in individuals who are genetically susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Inflammatory bowel disease results from a loss of homeostasis, or balance, between the …. Read the original article  : Bacteria that may lead to inflammatory bowel disease identified.

Absence of father at home linked to early puberty in girls

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that girls in homes without a biological father are more likely to hit puberty at an earlier age.

According to the new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health, the absence of a biologically related father in the home predicted earlier breast …. Original article  : Absence of father at home linked to early puberty in girls.

Aid for maternal, newborn and child health doubled over 5yrs

LONDON – New statistics have revealed that the amount of official development assistance (ODA) to maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in developing countries has apparently doubled between 2003 and 2008, but its ratio to overall aid for health has remained static.

The US, UK, EU, GAVI and the Global Fund have made the largest absolute … Read more »».

Media coverage ‘cuts infection rate and pandemic extent’

WASHINGTON – Media is an effective tool to inform people about a disease pandemic and the steps that can be taken to avoid infection, scientists have suggested.

Two mathematical biologists at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Marshall University have said that during outbreaks of serious infectious diseases, many individuals closely follow media reports and as … Read more >>.

Millions risk life by texting while walking

LONDON – Millions of people are risking their lives by texting as they saunter along busy streets.

One in 10 mobile phone users sustains injuries because they fail to notice objects, lamp posts or cars, says Joanna Lumdsen of Aston University, UK.
Studies indicate that mobile phone texting uses up so much brain power, people simply …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bad breath, fart sniffer to hunt for life on Mars!

LONDON – If at all there’s life on Mars, we are more likely to smell it before we see it. A new study has suggested that a chemical involved in bad breath and flatulence in humans may lead us to alien microbes on the Red Planet.

The sulphur-containing molecule methyl mercaptan is naturally produced in significant …. Read the original article  : here.

Greek goddess of fortune found at Sussita

WASHINGTON – A wall painting of Tyche, the Greek goddess of fortune, was found during the 11th season of excavation at the Sussita site, on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Another female figure was found during this season, of a maenad, one of the companions of the wine god Dionysus.

“It is interesting to …. Original article  : Greek goddess of fortune found at Sussita.

HIV’s ancestor much older than previously thought

WASHINGTON – A recent study has found that HIV’s ancestor that infect monkeys is thousand of years older than previously thought which implies that HIV is not likely to stop killing humans anytime soon.

The University of Arizona and Tulane University researchers stated that simian immunodeficiency virus, unlike HIV, does not cause AIDS in most of … Original article on : HIV’s ancestor much older than previously thought.

Avoiding exercise ‘can prematurely age your face’

SYDNEY – UK researchers have warned that avoiding exercise can prematurely age your face.

Researchers at the University of St Andrews created the images of how three people would look in five years, 10 years and 20 years if they did less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week.

They also created … Read more >>>.

Light pollution screws up songbirds’ sex lives

WASHINGTON – Keeping the lights on when romance strikes is a definite mood-killer – when it comes to birds, says a new study.

In today’s increasingly urbanized world, the lights in many places are always on, and that’s having a real impact on the mating life of forest-breeding songbirds, according to researchers.

“In comparison to chemical and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Light pollution screws up songbirds’ sex lives.

Stress speeds up breast cancer progression in mice

WASHINGTON – Scientists recently found that chronic stress acts as a sort of fertilizer that feeds breast cancer progression, significantly accelerating the spread of disease in animal models.

Researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered that stress is biologically reprogramming the immune cells that are trying to fight the cancer, transforming them instead from …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Stress speeds up breast cancer progression in mice.

Safari Park visitors served food meant for animals

LONDON – Visitors at a Safari Park in Britain were given food that was intended for animals, a media report said Friday.

Daily Express reported that sacks of potatoes and onions were donated as fodder by an overstocked company. It, however, ended up on the platter of visitors at Woburn Safari Park in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Safari Park visitors served food meant for animals.

Brain molecule gives cocaine addiction clue

WASHINGTON – Those who have used cocaine are more prone to becoming addicted, even after long drug-free periods. And now, researchers have found the reason behind such relapses.

Researchers at Linkoping University and their colleagues can point to a specific molecule in the brain as a possible target for treatment to prevent relapses.

Drugs are addictive … Original source on Gaea Times at : Brain molecule gives cocaine addiction clue.

Now, smartphone app to send grumpy messages to careless fellow drivers

LONDON – Road rage, a nuisance to smooth-flowing traffic, may soon become a thing of the past – courtesy a new smartphone app called Bump.

Sending a grumpy message to a fellow driver telling them what an inconsiderate road-user or parker they are has become … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Now, smartphone app to send grumpy messages to careless fellow drivers.

New nano-sized particles set to revolutionise data storage

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered an entire new class of phase-change materials that could be applied to phase change random access memory (PCM) technologies and possibly optical data storage as well.

Phase-change materials’ ability to readily and swiftly transition between different phases has made them valuable as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New nano-sized particles set to revolutionise data storage.

Earth’s mantle and core mix 2900 km below our feet

WASHINGTON – Using X-ray diffraction at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble (France), researchers have found that the Earth’s mantle and its core mix at a distance of 2900 km under our feet in a mysterious zone.

A team of geophysicists has just …. Read the original article  : Earth’s mantle and core mix 2900 km below our feet.

World’s biggest, strongest spider webs discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered some of world’s biggest, strongest spider webs, one of which, created by Darwin’s bark spider, spans over a river in Madagascar.

In 2008, zoologists discovered a river-spanning spider web dwarfing a park ranger in Madagascar.

Made of the world’s strongest known … Read : World’s biggest, strongest spider webs discovered.

Rod cells in eyes set our internal clocks

LONDON – Solving the mystery behind circadian rhythms, researchers have found that the rod cells in our eyes set our so called internal clocks that regulate everything from our sleep-wake cycles to our appetites and hormone levels.

It was known that light coming into our brains via …. Original source  : Rod cells in eyes set our internal clocks.

Here’s what your mobile handset tells about your mindset

MELBOURNE – You won’t like gardening if you have an iPhone, and travelling via planes might not be your thing in case you own a Samsung handset-these are just some of the observations researchers made after finding that mobile phones reveal quote a lot about one’s personality.

iPhone users believe computers give them more … Read more >>.

Diabetic women ‘have more C-sections and fetal complications’

WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that nearly half of women with diabetes prior to pregnancy have a potentially-avoidable C-section and their babies are twice as likely to die as those born to women without diabetes.

Researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital, the Institute … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Diabetic women ‘have more C-sections and fetal complications’.

Now, an e-shirt to keep a tab on your performance during workout

WASHINGTON – Constant update on how you are performing during physical exercise could be a great deal of help, and now you can keep a constant check on your vitals while working out, thanks to a smart ‘e-shirt’ that can measure …. Original source  : Now, an e-shirt to keep a tab on your performance during workout.

3 in 4 Brit parents use Facebook to check up on their kids’ university antics

LONDON – A new study has found that three in four parents use social networking site Facebook to check up on their university going children.

The research, commissioned by insurance company Ensleigh, also found that 72 percent of 18-25-year-olds who have left home use the Internet to speak to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 3 in 4 Brit parents use Facebook to check up on their kids’ university antics.

Lefties more likely to be angry

LONDON – Left-handed? Well, then you are more likely to be angry, says a new research.

For lefties, life holds many frustrations – from the everyday items designed for right-handers to folklore saying they are in league with the devil.

So perhaps it is the result of …. Read the original article  : Lefties more likely to be angry.

A tiny dose of Prozac may help relieve women’s monthly misery

LONDON – Those five days of the month when women suffer pain and emotional stress of PMS may soon become a thing of the past, as Prozac can be a remedy to relieve them, it has emerged.

New evidences have suggested that tiny amounts of Prozac … Read more >>.

Now, 2 pound blood test to predict susceptibility to heart disease, diabetes

LONDON – Scientists have developed a simple two-pound blood test that has the potential to test a person’s chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.

The test would be made available in five years and anyone found to be prone could then take …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Observe the Moon Night’ with rest of the planet on Saturday!

WASHINGTON – People around the world will gather this Saturday to observe and examine Earth’s nearest celestial neighbour as part of the first ever International Observe the Moon Night.

It is a joint effort of NASA and several partners to … Read more >>.

Potential ‘persistence’ switch for tuberculosis discovered

WASHINGTON – Rice University bioengineers have examined a portion of the tuberculosis genome that responds to stress and have found a network of genes that may “switch” the disease into dormancy.

The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium …. Original article  : Potential ‘persistence’ switch for tuberculosis discovered.

Soon, smart cars to intimate emergency services in case of crash

LONDON – Cars are set to get smarter in case of a crash, for they could soon be ringing the emergency services themselves if involved in a crisis.

In fact, sensors embedded in future vehicles could also let emergency services work out … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soon, smart cars to intimate emergency services in case of crash.

New approach brings robot pets closer to reality

WASHINGTON – The day is not far when you would be able to keep a robot pet that can mimic the behaviour of real ones, for researchers in Taiwan have come closer to developing a robot vision module that might one-day recognize human facial expressions …. Original article  : New approach brings robot pets closer to reality.

Too much thinking may not be as good as you believed

WASHINGTON – While introspection is a good thing, but too much “thinking about your thinking” might not be as beneficial as you thought.

A new study found that in people who are good at turning their thoughts inward and reflecting upon their decisions, the size … Original source on Gaea Times at : Too much thinking may not be as good as you believed.

Taiwan issues warning as Typhoon Fanapi approaches

TAIPEI – Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou Saturday instructed local authorities to prepare for evacuations and to secure areas against Typhoon Fanapi, which was gaining strength as it approached the island.

The army was standing by in Hualien on the east coast, where Fanapi was expected to make landfall early Sunday, the first typhoon to hit Taiwan … Original article on : Taiwan issues warning as Typhoon Fanapi approaches.

Global wireless subscriptions to hit five bn

NEW YORK – The number of global subscriptions for wireless services is expected to reach five billion in September and be equal to 73.4 percent of the world’s population, a market research firm has said.

According to iSuppli Corp, worldwide wireless subscriptions will increase by another 100 million and hit 5.1 billion at the end of …. Source  : Global wireless subscriptions to hit five bn.

Mark Twain finally gets recognition in Nevada with vote to name Lake Tahoe cove for him

Mark Twain finally gets recognition in Nevada

RENO, Nev. – Mark Twain is finally getting some recognition in the state where he assumed his pen name as a newspaper reporter nearly 150 years ago.
The Nevada State Board on Geographic Names has voted to name a cove on Lake Tahoe’s northeast shore for Samuel Clemens, Mark Twain’s …. Source article  : Mark Twain finally gets recognition in Nevada with vote to name Lake Tahoe cove for him.

Why women splash out on luxury items

LONDON – Men have long complained about their wives splashing out on luxury items. Now, a new study has revealed why females over indulge in retail therapy at certain times of the month.

The study has revealed that women’s tendency to shop is directly linked to the stage they have reached in their menstrual cycle.

Psychologists who … Original article on : Why women splash out on luxury items.

Trip suitcase that can turn into a seat and music player

WASHINGTON – Out on a holiday and thinking of going for a sunny picnic, but don’t know how to arrange the music? Well, just take Trip along and you are sorted-right from luggage and easy access for your much-needed stuff, this crazy suitcase can be turned into a chair and can also play music.

Yes, Trip …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Trip suitcase that can turn into a seat and music player.

Heavy rains in Delhi, more showers likely

NEW DELHI – Heavy rains drenched Delhi Sunday morning, leading to waterlogging in several areas in the national capital. The weatherman forecast a cloudy sky and more showers during the day.

“The skies will remain cloudy and pockets of the city will receive rains or thundershowers…A few spells may be heavy in some areas,” said an …. Source article  : Heavy rains in Delhi, more showers likely.

Now, software to catch iPhone thieves by comparing heartbeats

LONDON – With new software on board, iPhone has turned into iCop that would detect whether a handset has been stolen by comparing heartbeats.

Apple is developing a hi-tech gizmo, which would learn the “heart signature of the owner” and compare it to whoever was using the handset.

It would be able to tell if the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, software to catch iPhone thieves by comparing heartbeats.

Facebook ‘Places’ app that lets users tell pals where they are ‘checks in’ to UK

LONDON – Amid security concerns, social networking site Facebook has launched a new application ‘Places’ in the UK that would allow users to share their location with friends.

This new feature works similar to the location based social networking site Foursquare, but contains strict privacy controls.

The service was launched in the US last month and is …. Original article  : Facebook ‘Places’ app that lets users tell pals where they are ‘checks in’ to UK.

Wildfires ‘aided’ early flowering plants

LONDON – Scientists have said that the spread of early flowering plants 145-65 million years ago was boosted by wildfires.

Higher temperatures and atmospheric oxygen levels established “angiosperm fire cycles”, which allowed the “small, weedy” plants to regenerate after a fire, giving them an advantage over conifers, they said.

“It was also a time when there was … Read more >>>.

Soap-water mixing Bodysof to ‘change the way you shower’

WASHINGTON – Find it tiresome reaching down for the shower-gel and squeezing it on your palm and lather while taking a bath and repeat the act until you satisfactorily clean yourself up? Well, it could soon be a thing of the past, for now a product could “change the way you shower”.

Although weirdly named, but …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Soap-water mixing Bodysof to ‘change the way you shower’.

World’s tiniest fridge could chill quantum computers

LONDON – Researchers at the University of Bristol, UK, have designed a blueprint for the world’s smallest refrigerator that could help keep quantum computers run smoothly by keeping them chilled.

According to New Scientist, Noah Linden and her colleagues suggest that the fridge would consist of two quantum bits, or qubits, which interact with a third … Original article on : World’s tiniest fridge could chill quantum computers.

Drug combo may treat traumatic brain injury

WASHINGTON – Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Centre have discovered drugs, which when administered in combined doses, could help treat traumatic brain injury.

While the majority of TBIs are concussions or other mild forms, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability and currently, there are no drugs available … Read : Drug combo may treat traumatic brain injury.

Teeth took 400m yrs to evolve to allow us to eat the way we do today

WASHINGTON – Examining the 400 million years of evolution that took us to take a bite of that sinful apple, an University of Arkansas anthropologist has actually written a book on why mammals developed teeth in the first place.

Peter Ungar’s book, titled ‘Mammal Teeth: Origin, Evolution, and Diversity’, examines the tension between the feeder and …. Source article  : Teeth took 400m yrs to evolve to allow us to eat the way we do today.

American-born panda Hua Mei gives birth to 8th cub in China, rare success for species

US-born panda gives birth to her 8th cub in China

BEIJING – An American-born panda gave birth to her eighth cub in southwest China, a rare accomplishment for the endangered species known for being poor breeders.
Hua Mei gave birth to a male cub at 3 a.m. on Friday at the Wolong China Giant Panda Research Center … Read more : American-born panda Hua Mei gives birth to 8th cub in China, rare success for species.

General Motors to test battery-powered models of its Cruze in South Korea

General Motors to test electric Cruze in S. Korea

NEW YORK – General Motors says it will launch a test fleet of electric cars in South Korea as it continues to develop battery-powered models of its Chevrolet Cruze.
The automaker will begin the project at the end of October. It is working with LG Electronics on the …. Original article  : General Motors to test battery-powered models of its Cruze in South Korea.

Dikshit urges people to shun polybags

NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Saturday urged people to use cloth and jute bags as she launched the “Sheel Shera” project aimed at discouraging the use of plastics.

“Plastic is harmful to the society. It is not being accepted by the mother earth and even animals become target of plastic which is much … Read more : Dikshit urges people to shun polybags.

Hot, muggy day in Delhi, rain expected Sunday

NEW DELHI – It was a hot and muggy Saturday for Delhiites as the rain gods overlooked the capital for the second consecutive day. The met office has predicted rains Sunday.

An official of the India Meteorological Department said: “Skies will remain cloudy and light rains or thundershowers are expected.”
The maximum temperature was recorded at …. Read the original article  : Hot, muggy day in Delhi, rain expected Sunday.

Yet another tiger, a cub, dies in Bannerghatta

BANGALORE – A tiger cub died in the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) here in the wee hours Saturday, taking to five the number of tigers that have died in the park in the last one week, a top official said.

“The one-and-half-month old cub died around 4 a.m. It was healthy,” B.C. Chittiappa, the park’s assistant … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Yet another tiger, a cub, dies in Bannerghatta.

WHO model to eliminate AIDS in South Africa flawed, finds study

LONDON – A proposal by WHO to eliminate AIDS in South Africa has appeared to be a flawed one, a new study reveals.

In 2008, Reuben Granich and his colleagues at the World Health Organization proposed a new strategy for combating HIV …. Source  : WHO model to eliminate AIDS in South Africa flawed, finds study.

Crows’ major energy intake comes from tool-derived food

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered that a substantial amount of the crows’ energy intake comes from tool-derived food, highlighting the nutritional significance of their remarkable tool-use skills.

Tool use is so rare in the animal kingdom that it was once believed to be … Read more : Crows’ major energy intake comes from tool-derived food.

Traditional violence-prevention programs may not prevent teen fighting

WASHINGTON – In the wake of the failure of the traditional violence-prevention programs, parents and schools could play a significant role in stemming adolescent fighting, a new study has suggested.

Researchers from the UT Southwestern Medical Center have apparently … Read : Traditional violence-prevention programs may not prevent teen fighting.

Jupiter, Saturn played pinball with Uranus?

LONDON – New simulations have suggested that Uranus may have batted back and forth between Jupiter and Saturn before being flung out to its present location.

Previous modelling has shown that Jupiter and Saturn moved out of their initial orbits in the early solar system, scattering nearby objects, reports New Scientist.

In some simulations, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Losing a gene makes mice smarter

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have found that deleting a certain gene in mice can make them smarter by unlocking a mysterious region of the brain considered to be relatively inflexible.

Mice with a disabled RGS14 gene are able to remember objects … Original article on : Losing a gene makes mice smarter.

New genetic links to ovarian cancer risk discovered

LONDON – Scientists have apparently discovered new genetic variants in five regions of the genome that affect the risk of ovarian cancer in the general population.

The consortium, including scientists from the U.S., Europe, Canada and Australia, based the new work on their earlier research comparing 10,283 women with ovarian cancer to 13,185 women without the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Energy yielded by organic solar cells is less than inorganic counterparts

WASHINGTON – Solar energy which is seen as an alternative to the petroleum based energy production, is comparatively expensive and does not yield same energy, say experts.

In addition, information on the total effect of solar energy production on the environment is incomplete.

To better understand the energy and environmental benefits and detriments of solar power, a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Energy yielded by organic solar cells is less than inorganic counterparts.

Now, laser to cool down molecules

LONDON – Scientists have apparently succeeded in cooling a dipolar molecule just a fraction of a degree above absolute zero (around -273 degrees Centigrade) with the help of lasers.

This may be an important step to generate new kinds of ultra-cold matter that could be used for everything from quantum computing to chemistry.

Edward Shuman, John Barry …. Source  : Now, laser to cool down molecules.

3-D computer simulations help shed light on supernovae explosions

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found a novel way to make three dimensional computer simulations of supernovae explosions that may help in understanding these explosions better.

Princeton-led team used powerful supercomputers to employ a representation in three dimensions that allowed the various multidimensional instabilities to be expressed.

Even though these mammoth explosions have been observed for thousands of … Read : 3-D computer simulations help shed light on supernovae explosions.

Childhood viral infection could also cause obesity

WASHINGTON – If you think being overweight is a person’s own fault or his or her parents’, then here’s a reality check-even childhood viral infection could be one of the causes of obesity, reveals a new cross-sectional study by University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers.

They …. Source  : Childhood viral infection could also cause obesity.

Women facing baby blues process negative emotions differently

LONDON – Your hormones have nothing to do with those recurring baby blues, for a new study has found that the brains of women with post-natal depression process negative emotions differently to new mothers without the condition.

Mary Phillips at the University of Pittsburgh, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Women facing baby blues process negative emotions differently.

Bid adieu to love handles with new machine that freezes fat cells

LONDON – Scientists have come up with a new machine that freezes away unwanted body fat to remove love handles, beer bellies and bingo wings.

Promoted as a painless alternative to liposuction, the device features a gel patch that clamps on to flabby parts of the body and freezes …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Wearing glasses ages people by at least 3 years

LONDON – A poll has indicated that wearing glasses ages people by at least three years.

On average, glasses-wearers were put at 3.3 years older than they actually were while those aged 45 and over were thought to be five years older, reports Scotsman.

The research was based on a …. Source  : Wearing glasses ages people by at least 3 years.

Genetic variants that modify breast cancer risk identified

LONDON – It is known that disrupting mutations in the BRCA1 gene increases risk of breast cancer. Now, Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that some of those persons may possess additional genetic variants that modify their risk.

“These findings should be useful in helping determine individual …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Genetic variants that modify breast cancer risk identified.

Pickle spoiling bacteria could prevent environmental hazards

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered that bacteria that cause pickles to spoil could also detoxify environmentally hazardous industrial dyes that pollute water.

Some species of Lactobacilli-food-related microorganisms-can cause red colouring when combined with tartrazine, a yellow food-colouring agent … Read more »»».

Humans migrated from Africa to India 20,000 yrs earlier than believed

LONDON – A discovery of Stone Age tools, mainly either spear heads or scrapers, has revealed that migration from Africa to India and other South-East Asian countries as well as Australia took place not 60,000 years ago, but 70,000 to 80,000 years ago – and perhaps even earlier.

Dr … Read more >>>.

New type of lunar volcano discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists have apparently discovered a new type of rock on the lunar surface, which was spat up by a style of volcano never before seen on the moon.

New data from from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has suggested that the new volcano type oozed thicker lava rich … Read : New type of lunar volcano discovered.

Farmers say dust part of rural life, await EPA rules others believe needed to protect health

Farmers fear dust rules won’t reflect rural life

INDIANAPOLIS – As they begin the fall harvest, wary farmers are watching a federal debate over whether to clamp down on one of rural life’s constant companions – the dust clouds that farm machinery kick up in fields and along unpaved roads.
Farming groups have urged the U.S. Environmental … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Farmers say dust part of rural life, await EPA rules others believe needed to protect health.

FDA to consider approval of genetically engineered salmon

FDA to consider approval of modified salmon

WASHINGTON – Tinker with the genetics of salmon and maybe you create a revolutionary new food source that could help the environment and feed the hungry.
Or maybe you’re creating what some say is an untested “frankenfish” that could cause unknown allergic reactions and the eventual decimation of the wild …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : FDA to consider approval of genetically engineered salmon.

Delhi fears flood as Haryana releases more water

NEW DELHI – Delhi faced fresh flood threats Monday with nearly seven lakh cusecs of water being discharged into the Yamuna river from the Hathini Kund barrage in neighbouring Haryana.

The water level in the Yamuna reached 205.48 metre, .65 metre above the danger mark of 204.83 metre. Nearly 7.44 lakh cusecs of water has been …. Read the original article  : Delhi fears flood as Haryana releases more water.

Summit to spotlight how to achieve goals to help world’s poorest by 2015 target

Global spotlight on helping world’s poor
UNITED NATIONS – Ten years after world leaders set the most ambitious goals ever to tackle global poverty, they are meeting again to try to spur action to meet the targets by the 2015 deadline – which the U.N. says will be difficult, if not impossible, in some cases.

More than … Original article on : Summit to spotlight how to achieve goals to help world’s poorest by 2015 target.

China to go to moon, Mars, Venus and beyond

BEIJING – China has now set its sight on planet Venus, where it hopes to land a space probe by 2015. A probe to Mars and the country’s first moon landing have also been chalked out.

The first unmanned space laboratory, Tiangong-1, will be launched in 2011, after which there would be the first unmanned docking …. Source article  : China to go to moon, Mars, Venus and beyond.

Wet morning, more rains in store for Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi saw early morning showers Monday, causing waterlogging and traffic jams in a few areas. The weather office said more rains were likely during the day.

“The sky will remain cloudy with spells of rain, one or two may be heavy,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
Delhi recorded 59.2 mm … Original source on Gaea Times at : Wet morning, more rains in store for Delhi.

21,000 respond to teen’s party invite on Facebook

LONDON – A teenager in Britain set up a Facebook group for his birthday party, but was left stunned when 21,000 people confirmed themselves as guests.

The teenager just wanted to invite a handful of close friends to his 14th birthday in October at his small flat, Daily Express reported Monday.
His mother promptly removed …. Original article  : 21,000 respond to teen’s party invite on Facebook.

Poor biological clock could lead to diabetes, obesity

LONDON – UC San Diego biologists have discovered biological clocks of mammals are related to development of obesity and diabetes.

It also raises the possibility that some of the rise in diabetes could be a consequence of disturbances in sleep-wake cycles from our increasingly around-the-clock lifestyles.

“We know that mice that don’t have good biological clocks tend …. Original source  : Poor biological clock could lead to diabetes, obesity.

Violent video games increase aggression for as long as 24hrs after playing

MELBOURNE – A study has found that playing violent video games can increase aggression in a person for as long as 24 hours after playing.

Researchers from Ohio State and Central Michigan Universities assigned volunteers to play either violent games like Mortal Kombat or non-violent titles like … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Violent video games increase aggression for as long as 24hrs after playing.

Jupiter came closest to Earth on Monday

WASHINGTON – Skygazers got a chance to see the brightest Jupiter Monday night when the planet came closest to Earth since 1951.

In fact, for about the next four months the giant planet will be teamed up with a distant relative: Uranus.

Jupiter will officially be nearest to … Original article on : Jupiter came closest to Earth on Monday.

Our choices as consumers are governed by genes

WASHINGTON – Clues to consumer behaviour may be lurking in our genes, says a new study.

Itamar Simonson of the Stanford University and Aner Sela of University of Florida, both in the US, studied twins’ consumer preferences to determine whether or not certain behaviours or traits have a genetic basis.
“A greater similarity in … Original article on : Our choices as consumers are governed by genes.

Now, security camera system that works just like human eye

WASHINGTON – Security in public areas and buildings is set to get safer than it ever was, thanks to an innovative camera system that works like the human eye.

Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT in Sankt Augustin have developed the device as part of the EU project- ‘SEARISE – Smart Eyes: …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, security camera system that works just like human eye.

Volcano breath test could offer early warning of eruption

LONDON – Predicting a volcanic eruption just got easier, thanks to a process similar to a breath tester, which allows researchers to pick up changes in the composition of gases spewing from its vent and make a forecast based on periodic gas sampling.

Most instruments would melt if placed inside the mouth of a volcano, but … Original article on : Volcano breath test could offer early warning of eruption.

Mobile phones users prefer using handsets for net surfing to PCs

MELBOURNE – The days are long gone when mobile phone use was restricted to just talking and texting, for it is now barging into the territory of PCs, so much so, that people prefer checking their mails on their cellphones instead of their computers.

According to a report, half of users in their 30s accessed … Original article on : Mobile phones users prefer using handsets for net surfing to PCs.

Venus’ hot atmosphere may cool down its interior

WASHINGTON – Based on calculations from a new model, researchers have proposed a counter-intuitive theory, which claims that the heat in the atmosphere of Venus, induced from a strong greenhouse warming, might actually have a cooling effect on the planet’s interior.

“For some decades we’ve known that the large amount of greenhouse gases in the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Venus’ hot atmosphere may cool down its interior.

Amateur tinkerer creates self-tightening ‘Power Laces Shoes’

WASHINGTON – Bid adieu to that daily hassle of tying your shoelaces before leaving from home, for now an amateur tinkerer has developed what could be called ’self-tightening Power Laces Shoes’, inspired by the ones featured in Back to the Future Part II’.

Blake Bevin created Power Laces Shoe in less than five months, with no …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Amateur tinkerer creates self-tightening ‘Power Laces Shoes’.

Gecko-inspired method to print electronics on clothes, plastic and leather

WASHINGTON – Inspired by geckos, engineers have developed a reversible adhesion method for printing electronics on a variety of tricky surfaces such as clothes, plastic and leather.

Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign designed a clever square polymer stamp that allows them to vary its adhesion strength.

The stamp can …. Original article  : Gecko-inspired method to print electronics on clothes, plastic and leather.

FDA considers whether to approve, how to label genetically engineered fish

FDA considering whether to label engineered fish

WASHINGTON – Genetically modified salmon for dinner? Diners might not even know it.
If the Food and Drug Administration approves the engineered fish for human consumption, the agency then will have to decide the label it will carry in grocery stores. According to FDA rules, the fish will not be …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : FDA considers whether to approve, how to label genetically engineered fish.

Flood waters start receding in Haryana areas

CHANDIGARH – After breaking the record of the last 32 years, flood waters of the Yamuna river in Haryana receded Tuesday with only 140,000 cusecs of water being discharged from the Hathnikund barrange in Yamunanagar district.

The flood waters of the river, which inundated some low-lying villages in Yamunanagar and Karnal districts, also started receding, revenue … Original article on : Flood waters start receding in Haryana areas.

Ozone layer ‘no longer disappearing, will return to full strength by 2048???

LONDON – UN scientists have confirmed that the ozone layer is no longer disappearing and could be back to full strength by the middle of this century.

The phasing out of nearly 100 substances once used in products like refrigerators and aerosols has stopped the ozone layer being …. Read the original article  : here.

Novel drug boosts marijuana-like chemical in body to relieve severe pain

LONDON – American and Italian researchers have discovered that a novel drug allows a marijuana-like chemical in the body to effectively control pain at the site of an injury.

Daniele Piomelli at UC Irvine and his colleagues found that such compounds could form the basis of pain medications that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New species of giant elephant shrew discovered in Kenya?

WASHINGTON – Biologists may have discovered a new species of giant elephant shrew in Kenya.

“The new animal has grizzled, yellow-brown sides, shoulders, and back; maroon thighs; and a jet-black lower rump,” National Geographic News quoted team member Raj Amin, a …. Original source  : New species of giant elephant shrew discovered in Kenya?.

Water presence on Moon may hamper plans for lunar astronomy

WASHINGTON – Space scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences are concerned that the recent discovery of water on the moon could hamper lunar astronomy.

They said that the scattering caused by molecules vaporized in sunlight could heavily distort observations from telescopes … Original source on Gaea Times at : Water presence on Moon may hamper plans for lunar astronomy.

Earth’s highest coastal mountain has moved 2,200 km in 170m years

WASHINGTON – The highest coastal mountain on Earth, Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, has been on the move for a long, long time as indicated by a new study.

The Smithsonian research group revealed Santa Marta’s 2,200-kilometer journey from northern Peru to its modern …. Source article  : Earth’s highest coastal mountain has moved 2,200 km in 170m years.

Abandoned female fish raise offspring as single moms

WASHINGTON – A new research shows that female cichlid fish look after their young and raise them alone if abandoned by males.

Dr Topi Lehtonen from the University of Turku in Finland, Dr Bob Wong and Dr Andreas Svensson from Monash University and Professor Axel …. Original source  : Abandoned female fish raise offspring as single moms.

Human exposure to plastics chemical much higher than previously thought

WASHINGTON – A new study indicates that human exposure to the toxic chemical bisphenol A or BPA is much higher than predicted.

The study has found that women, female monkeys and female mice have major similarities when it comes to how BPA is metabolised.

Researchers have now …. Source  : Human exposure to plastics chemical much higher than previously thought.

Birds use camouflage feathers to attract mates: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that patterned feathers, apparently used for camouflage in birds, are also vital for attracting a mate and keeping away the rivals.

University of Melbourne researcher Thanh-Lan Gluckman said this finding brought a new perspective to research in … Original article on : Birds use camouflage feathers to attract mates: Study.

Key bridge closed as Yamuna flows 1.33 m above danger mark

NEW DELHI – A key bridge over the Yamuna linking the capital with its eastern district and western Uttar Pradesh was shut Tuesday as the river waters rose further, causing traffic jams.

Following a release of 7.44 lakh cusecs of water by Haryana, the water level in the Yamuna reached 206.16 metres — 1.33 metres above … Read more : Key bridge closed as Yamuna flows 1.33 m above danger mark.

Rains flood Delhi again, traffic takes a hit

NEW DELHI – The low-lying areas in Delhi were flooded yet again Wednesday as rains continued to drench the national capital for the fourth consecutive day, leading to slowing down of traffic and snarls in the city.

Delhi received 30 mm of rainfall between Tuesday night and 8.30 a.m. Wednesday.
The showers caused waterlogging across …. Original article  : Rains flood Delhi again, traffic takes a hit.

New hope for restoring vision in the blind

LONDON – Scientists have successfully translated retinal cone cells, vital for colour vision, into blind mice.

Four years ago, the same research team transplanted rod cells, used in night vision.

The hope for restoring vision in the blind is that transplantable cells which mature into rods or cones can be …. Source article  : New hope for restoring vision in the blind.

Deep brain stimulation leads to ‘effortless’ smoking cessation, weight loss

WASHINGTON – A new case report revealed that electrical stimulation of the brain in a patient with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) led to some unanticipated benefits-”effortless” smoking cessation and weight loss.

The patient was a 47-year-old woman who had extremely severe OCD … Read more >>.

Why brain cell communication is so fast

WASHINGTON – Brain cells work like an organic supercomputer they keep everything going, from breathing to solving riddles. And now, researchers have for the first time described how nerve cells manage to transmit signals practically simultaneously.

The cells of the nervous system …. Original source  : Why brain cell communication is so fast.

Dancing robot swan touches viewers’ emotional chords

WASHINGTON – A robot in the form of a swan left many people with wet eyes after it performed a four-minute-long dance routine recently.

Created at Malardalen University and choreographed by professional dancer Esa Unander-Scharin, the ballet performance [..] Read the original article: here.

Leaders better at understanding emotions

WASHINGTON – People who become leaders in groups with no formal authority have a better understanding of emotions, reveals a new study.

The findings come through two different studies using commerce students.

In the study, participants were given an emotional ability test as part of the … Read more »»».

Himachal rivers in spate, may spell trouble for Punjab, Haryana

SHIMLA – Moderate to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh since early Wednesday may aggravate the flood-like situation in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana as most rivers running downstream from the hills are in spate again, officials here said.

“The water level in the Beas and Satluj rivers has increased abnormally due to continuous rainfall in their catchment …. Original source  : Himachal rivers in spate, may spell trouble for Punjab, Haryana.

Now, test to analyse kids’ saliva for cannabis or cocaine use in 5mins

LONDON – Brit scientists have developed a disposable drugs test that allows parents to check whether their wards have been taking cannabis or cocaine by analysing a droplet of saliva.

The handheld device, which resembles a pregnancy testing kit, costs just 1.50 pound and produces an accurate result within five minutes.

Its creators say it could be … Read : Now, test to analyse kids’ saliva for cannabis or cocaine use in 5mins.

Whistling while working makes you do your job better

LONDON – Whistling while you work could help you do your job better, suggests a new study.

According to a leading psychologist, whistling or singing helps distract the mind from trying too hard and prevents mental overload.

The suggestion is based on a study into the phenomenon of ‘choking’ – the moment when a footballer misses a … Read : Whistling while working makes you do your job better.

Scientists discover clue to cell damage after stroke

WASHINGTON – A Dutch-German medical research team has discovered that an enzyme is responsible for the death of nerve cells after a stroke.

The enzyme NOX4 produces hydrogen peroxide, a caustic molecule also used in bleaching agents. Inhibition of NOX4 … Read more : Scientists discover clue to cell damage after stroke.

Inner voice helps us exercise self-control

WASHINGTON – When it comes to exercising self control, talking to yourself may be the right thing to do, suggests a new study.

The research, carried out by the University of Toronto Scarborough, shows …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Inner voice helps us exercise self-control.

Vitamin D protects obese women against endometrial cancer

WASHINGTON – Obese women can reduce their increased risk of endometrial disease if they take vitamin D supplements, a new animal study has revealed.

Researchers at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre said that 25 percent of obese mice fed a vitamin …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vitamin D protects obese women against endometrial cancer.

Officials say 74 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach; 25 already dead

74 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A pod of 74 pilot whales stranded themselves on a remote northern New Zealand beach – the second time in a month that a mass beaching has happened in the region, officials said Wednesday.
Twenty-five of the animals were already dead when officials arrived at …. Original article  : Officials say 74 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach; 25 already dead.

New therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s identified

WASHINGTON – Neurological researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found a new therapeutic target that can potentially lead to a new way to prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

The target called neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) is a protein that when activated, can cause a chain of …. Original source  : New therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s identified.

Watching too much TV ‘a risk for mental health’

LONDON – People who are addicted to television are jeopardizing their mental health, says a new study.

It revealed that Scots who spend more than four hours a day are 80 per cent more likely to be depressed and anxious than those watching less than two.

They also typically …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Watching too much TV ‘a risk for mental health’.

Large Hadron Collider offers clues about infant universe

LONDON – It looks like the big bang machine or the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is living up to its name-it is giving clues of what may be the hot, dense state of matter thought to have filled the universe in its first nanoseconds.

Researchers on the Compact Muon Solenoid …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Large Hadron Collider offers clues about infant universe.

Cuddle chemical improves social cognition only in less socially proficient people

WASHINGTON – Naturally occurring hormone oxytocin-the so-called cuddle chemical-selectively improves social cognitive abilities for less socially proficient individuals, but has little effect on those who are more socially proficient, according to researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The scientists wanted to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cuddle chemical improves social cognition only in less socially proficient people.

Speech centre embedded in much more complex brain than believed

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered several molecularly and cellularly different cortical areas in Broca’s language region, the motor centre for speech-a finding that shows that our faculty of speech is actually embedded in a much more differentially developed brain landscape than we have believed … Original source on Gaea Times at : Speech centre embedded in much more complex brain than believed.

Biblical wind movement caused parting of Red Sea waters

WASHINGTON – The movement of wind could have led to the parting of Red Sea waters-a finding which is similar to description of its formation in the biblical account, say researchers.

A new computer modeling study by researchers … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Biblical wind movement caused parting of Red Sea waters.

US military postpones Guam buildup decisions on live fire training range, carrier berth

US military postpones 2 Guam buildup decisions

HONOLULU – The U.S. military has postponed two key decisions related to its buildup of forces on the Guam to ensure it’s complying with environmental and historic preservation laws.
But it gave final approval to the single biggest part of the buildup: a proposal to move 8,000 Marines and their … Read more : US military postpones Guam buildup decisions on live fire training range, carrier berth.

Talking while walking harder for Parkinson’s patients

WASHINGTON – People with Parkinson’s disease are at increased risk for falls with injury because they have more trouble walking and talking, according to a new Florida State University study.

The study found that older adults with Parkinson’s disease altered … Read more >>.

Practice doesn’t really make you perfect

WASHINGTON – If you thought practice could only make you perfect in language comprehension and reading, then a new study might just change your opinion-researchers have suggested a new way of training that could reduce by at least half the effort previously thought necessary to make learning gains.

The study by Northwestern University may also be … Read more : Practice doesn’t really make you perfect.

Ocean cooling ‘contributed to global warming hiatus during mid-20th century ‘

LONDON – A new study has indicated that the ocean cooling in North Atlantic around 1970 contributed to the hiatus of global warming in the Northern Hemisphere during the mid-20th century, and not tropospheric pollution.

David W. J. Thompson at Colorado State University, John M. Wallace at the University of Washington,John J. Kennedy at the Met … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ocean cooling ‘contributed to global warming hiatus during mid-20th century ‘.

Humanized mice paves way for better typhoid fever treatment

WASHINGTON – New experiments in mice might reveal valuable clues for better treatment of typhoid fever in humans, says a new study.

A new model based on transplanting human immune stem cells from umbilicaly cord blood into mice that are susceptible to infections, could pave the way for better treating typhoid fever in humans.

Although mice are … Read : Humanized mice paves way for better typhoid fever treatment.

Scientists discover bizzare horned dinos on ‘lost continent’ in Utah

WASHINGTON – Scientists have unearthed two new species of horned dinosaursin Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, southern Utah.

The giant plant-eaters were inhabitants of the “lost continent” of Laramidia and are close relatives of the famous Triceratops.

The first dino, named Utahceratops gettyi, has a skull 2.3 meters (about 7 feet) long, a large horn over the nose, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists discover bizzare horned dinos on ‘lost continent’ in Utah.

Soon, nose drops to treat brain cancer

WASHINGTON – Scientists have reported the development and testing of a drug that could treat brain cancer, and can be given as nose drops rather than an injection.

The new form of methotrexate promises to be more effective in cancer treatment unlike conventional methods wherein anticancer drugs have difficulty reaching the brain, they said.

This happens due … Read more >>>.

Soon, swipe cell phone to pay for shopaholics’ purchases!

LONDON – A mobile phone that can be swiped at the till to make instant purchases may soon end the need to carry cash – or even a wallet.

Although it has yet to go into full commercial use, after five months of a six-month trial in the Spanish resort of Sitges near Barcelona, the results … Read more : Soon, swipe cell phone to pay for shopaholics’ purchases!.

IVF kids score better on academic tests

WASHINGTON – Children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) actually perform better than age-and gender-matched peers on academic tests, a new study found.

The University of Iowa study found that children who were conceived by IVF actually scored better than their peers on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Iowa Test for Educational Development … Read this article on Gaea Times at : IVF kids score better on academic tests.

Siberians discovered America, claims Russian scientist

SAKHALIN – The earliest settlers of America came from Siberia through the current Far East region, according to some Russian scientists.

Scientists at a three-day international scientific conference in Sakhalin have said that the first settlers on Sakhalin, the Russian island in the North Pacific, appeared 100,000-200,000 years ago.

“During the excavation work at the … Read more »».

Harvest Moon Brings A Rare Treat

SAN FRANCISCO, (GaeaTimes.com) Last night the sky witnessed a rare phenomenon known as the “Harvest moon“. The moon on this occasion appears to be exceptionally big to sky gazers. The harvest moon occurs close to equinox but this time it happened exactly on the day of the autumn equinox. The last time such … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Harvest Moon Brings A Rare Treat.

How to get more attention on Facebook

MELBOURNE – Not getting enough comments on your Facebook status updates? Well, post a photo on Friday and you’ll be bombarded with those much-loved likes and comments, says a new study.

In a study released by social media management company, Vitrue, how much attention your Facebook posts are receiving is dependent on what you posted …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : How to get more attention on Facebook.

European volcanoes wiped off Neanderthals

WASHINGTON – Disastrous volcanic eruptions in Europe could have wiped out local bands of Neanderthals and indirectly affected farther-flung populations, revealed a study.

Modern humans, though, squeaked by, thanks to fallback populations in Africa and Asia, say researchers.

About 40,000 years ago in what we now call Italy and the Caucasus Mountains, which straddle Europe and Asia, …. Source  : European volcanoes wiped off Neanderthals.

Taking part in sports keeps teens healthier and happier in life

WASHINGTON – A new study has concluded that taking part in sports is good all round for young teens: physically, socially, and mentally.

Research of Dr. Keith Zullig and Rebecca White from West Virginia University in the US shows that middle-school teenagers who are physically active and play on sports teams are more satisfied with their …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Genetic variants that cause asthma identified

LONDON – An international study has discovered several genetic variants that substantially increase susceptibility to asthma.

The study, which was co-ordinated by researchers from Imperial College London, was performed by the Gabriel consortium, a collaboration of 164 scientists from 19 countries in Europe, along with other groups in the UK, Canada and Australia. It analysed DNA … Original article on : Genetic variants that cause asthma identified.

First human-powered aircraft achieves sustained flight

WASHINGTON – First human-powered aircraft with flapping wings made aviation history by flying continuously for almost 20 seconds.

University of Toronto’s “Snowbird” performed its record-breaking flight on August 2 at the Great Lakes Gliding Club in Tottenham, Ont., witnessed by the vice-president (Canada) of the Federation Aeronautique …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : First human-powered aircraft achieves sustained flight.

Human malarial parasite came from gorillas, not chimps

LONDON – The parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria in humans – Plasmodium falciparum-was not transmitted by chimpanzees, but instead came from western gorillas

The researchers also concluded that the parasite may have … Read more : Human malarial parasite came from gorillas, not chimps.

Just 2 drinks enough to slow reactions in older people

WASHINGTON – Just two single vodka and orange drinks were enough to slow down reaction time in older adults, revealed a study.

The researchers found that senior volunteers struggle at an obstacle avoidance test while walking if they consume just … Read more : Just 2 drinks enough to slow reactions in older people.

Developing boys’ language skills more important than girls’

WASHINGTON – It is more important for boys than girls to hone their language skills in helping them develop self-control and, ultimately, succeed in school, according to a study led by a Michigan State University researcher.

Thus, Claire Vallotton, MSU assistant professor of child … Original source on Gaea Times at : Developing boys’ language skills more important than girls’.

80 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach; only 24 still alive despite rescue efforts

56 pilot whales die after stranding on NZ beach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Only 24 of several dozen pilot whales stranded on a remote northern New Zealand beach survived a stormy first night ashore despite rescuers’ desperate efforts to save them, officials said Thursday.
Large waves and strong winds lashed Spirits Bay as rescuers struggled to move …. Original source  : 80 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach; only 24 still alive despite rescue efforts.

World powers prepare to meet with Iran on nuclear dispute

WASHINGTON – A meeting of world powers in New York Wednesday focused on preparing for a possible meeting with Iran to discuss the Islamic state’s nuclear activities, a senior US official said.

The foreign ministers from the five permanent members of the Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the US — plus Germany held … Read more »»».

Bright sunny day in Himachal

SHIMLA – After three days of moderate to heavy rainfall, the hills of Himachal Pradesh Friday woke up to a bright sunny morning but with a mild chill in the air.

“Almost the entire hill state witnessed a bright sunny day this (Friday) morning after days of heavy rain in middle and lower hills and snow …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bright sunny day in Himachal.

AIDS drug could also fight herpes virus

WASHINGTON – A drug approved in 2007 for the treatment of AIDS- raltegravir or Isentress-could also play a role in preventing the herpes virus, found a new study.

Sold by Merck, the drug cancels the function of an essential protein for the replication of one kind of herpes virus, said scientists at the Institute for Research [..] Read the original article: here.

Artificial cilia that respond to heat and light created

WASHINGTON – Inspired by mother nature, researchers at University of Southern Mississippi have for the first time, created a new, skinny-molecule-based material that resembles cilia, the tiny, hair-like structures through which organisms derive smell, vision, hearing and fluid flow.

Although the new material is not exactly like cilia, it responds to thermal, chemical, and electromagnetic …. Source article  : Artificial cilia that respond to heat and light created.

Smart ’spider web’ sensors to make aircrafts fly like birds

WASHINGTON – Mimicking the gossamer strands of spider webs, researchers from Stanford University have created an ultra-fine mesh of strain and temperature sensors that can be wrapped around aircrafts and make them fly like birds.

Wrapped around an aircraft, the sensors could help craft monitor their internal well-being-an advance that could prevent microscopic cracks from developing … Read more >>>.

Current decisions affect your future choices

WASHINGTON – You tend to adjust your opinion to think better of something you choose, even if you don’t known the options you were making a choice from, revealed a new study.

People change their minds about a choice after they make it.

If you ask someone how he feels about Athens and Paris, he might …. Source  : Current decisions affect your future choices.

Double eye of Venus polar vortex disappears

WASHINGTON – Using data from ESA’s Venus Express spacecraft, a new animation has shown that the double eye of the giant vortex at Venus’s South pole has disappeared.

Dr. Giuseppe Piccioni presented the results of a study that shows the complex, variable dynamics at the Venusian south pole.

Orbiting around Venus since April 11, 2006, the …. Read the original article  : Double eye of Venus polar vortex disappears.

Scientists recreate extreme conditions 1800 miles below Earth’s crust

WASHINGTON – A new study by Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley, sheds light on why certain seismic waves travel more quickly through the core-mantle boundary, a thin layer of the Earth’s interior that lies between about 1675 and 1800 miles below the surface.

Lowell Miyagi and his team have managed to heat and [..] Read the original article: here.

Scientists discover pumps that allow bacteria to resist drugs

LONDON – Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory researchers have discovered the crystal structures of pumps that remove heavy metal toxins from bacteria, making them resistant to antibiotics.

It could help drug researchers develop treatments to combat that resistance, reports Nature.

Edward Yu and his colleagues purified and crystallized the membrane proteins that make up …. Read the original article  : here.

Largest marine oil accident spewed 4.1m barrels into Gulf

WASHINGTON – An independent, peer-reviewed research has revealed that the Gulf spill is the largest marine oil accident ever and spewed around 4.1 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

“We wanted to do an independent estimate because people had the sense that the numbers out there were not necessarily accurate,” said Timothy Crone …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Largest marine oil accident spewed 4.1m barrels into Gulf.

Water buffalo and goat hooves may have disturbed Indian Stone Age sites

WASHINGTON – Interpretations of Stone Age culture from discoveries of ancient tools and artefacts may need to be reanalysed, says a new research conducted in in the Jurreru River Valley in Southern India.

The new study documented how animal trampling in a water-saturated area can result in an alarming amount of disturbance, according to archaeologist Metin …. Source  : Water buffalo and goat hooves may have disturbed Indian Stone Age sites.

Patients reject robotic prosthetic arm because ‘it’s too easy’

WASHINGTON – Participants in a study to test the function of a robotic prosthetic arm were unhappy with the results because it was ‘too easy.’

University of Central Florida researchers had designed the arm to give people in wheelchairs more independence, but participants preferred the manual mode, which requires them to think several steps ahead and … Read more : Patients reject robotic prosthetic arm because ‘it’s too easy’.

Standing on a staircase ‘makes you age faster’

WASHINGTON – Believe it or not, standing on the roof of your building might make you age faster than standing on the ground floor.

Research has revealed that Einstein’s theories of relativity affect earthbound distances and time frames, which simply put means, a clock speeding away from an observer will appear to tick slower than a …. Source article  : Standing on a staircase ‘makes you age faster’.

Increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages cuts disease, crime, death rates

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that increasing the costs to consumers of beer, wine, and hard liquor significantly reduces the rates of a wide range of alcohol-related deaths, diseases, injuries, and other problems.

University of Florida (UF) researchers reported that public policies that increase the price of alcoholic beverages, such as increases in alcohol …. Original source  : Increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages cuts disease, crime, death rates.

Allergies ‘a consequence of asthma, not cause of it’

SYDNEY – A new genetic study has revealed that allergies are an outcome of asthma, not a cause of it.

Scientists have also found seven genes linked to the development of the ailment, which could lead to new treatments, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Researchers from Imperial College London and colleagues around the world carried out more … Original article on : Allergies ‘a consequence of asthma, not cause of it’.

70pc of women likely to face sexual problems after breast cancer

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that 70 percent of women are likely to face sexual function problems if they have breast cancer.

Mary Panjari of the Women’s Health Program at Monash University reported on the sexual well-being nearly two years after diagnosis and initial treatment of participants in the BUPA Foundation Health and Wellbeing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 70pc of women likely to face sexual problems after breast cancer.

Sun shines over Delhi, but rains likely

NEW DELHI – A bright and sunny morning greeted Delhiites Friday after days of continuous rain, but weather officials have predicted showers later during the day.

Delhi recorded a minimum of 23.2 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the season.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the capital has not received any rains … Read : Sun shines over Delhi, but rains likely.

Departure of Soyuz capsule from space station delayed amid undocking problems

Undocking problems delay space station departure

ALMATY, Kazakhstan – The return of three astronauts to Earth onboard a Soyuz capsule from the International Space Station has been delayed after crew ran into problems while undocking.
U.S. astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson and Russia’s Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko were due to land Friday morning local time in the central … Read more »»».

High levels of stress hormone in recovering alcoholics ‘raise relapse risk’

Washington, Sept 24 (ANI): High levels of a stress hormone in recovering alcoholics could increase the risk of relapse, a new study has found.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool showed that cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland in response to stress, is found in high levels in chronic alcoholics, as well as those …. Original source  : High levels of stress hormone in recovering alcoholics ‘raise relapse risk’.

Withdrawing HRT from women cuts breast cancer risk, shows study

LONDON – Canadian researchers have shown that withdrawing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) from women reduces the risk of breast cancer.

The new study has thrown the safety of hormone replacement into further doubt.

The researchers found that a decrease in the number of menopausal women taking HRT has coincided with a 10 per cent decrease in cancer …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Withdrawing HRT from women cuts breast cancer risk, shows study.

Win for Woods: High Carolina course on track after developers reach agreement on trout streams

Tiger’s course developers reach settlement

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Chalk up one victory for Tiger Woods this year.
Construction on Woods’ first American golf course, The Cliffs at High Carolina near Asheville, N.C., is back in full swing after developers agreed to reduce the planned impact the layout would have on area trout streams by almost half the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Win for Woods: High Carolina course on track after developers reach agreement on trout streams.

Flood threat recedes as Yamuna’s water level goes down

NEW DELHI – Flood threat in Delhi receded as water level in the Yamuna river started going down Saturday, days after many homes were inundated in the national capital, an official here said.

“The water level is expected to recede further during the day,” said an official of the flood department.
This has come …. Source article  : Flood threat recedes as Yamuna’s water level goes down.

New Zealand rescuers save 14 whales of pod of 74 stranded on remote beach

NZealand rescuers save 14 whales from stranded pod

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Rescuers who battled exhaustion and darkness succeeded in saving 14 pilot whales from a pod of 74 that stranded on a remote New Zealand beach.
Late Friday, a total of 24 whales were trucked 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Spirits Bay, where they beached on … Read more »».

Three astronauts return to Earth after fixing undocking glitch

WASHINGTON – A Russian Soyuz capsule landed Saturday in Kazakhstan, returning three residents of the International Space Station to Earth a day later than planned because of an undocking malfunction.

Parachutes braked the descent of the Soyuz re-entry craft as it landed on the steppe of southern Kazakhstan near Arkalyk, with Russians Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail …. Original source  : Three astronauts return to Earth after fixing undocking glitch.

Water-gel-based ‘artificial leaves’ that produce electricity

WASHINGTON – North Carolina State University researchers have shown that water-gel-based “artificial leaves” can act like solar cells to produce electricity.

They also have the potential to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly than the current silicon-based solar cells.

The researchers used plant chlorophyll in one of the experiments – coupled with electrodes coated by [..] Read the original article: here.

Cassini craft gets first snapshots from within Saturn’s radio aurora

WASHINGTON – The Cassini spacecraft has made the first observations from within the radio aurora of another planet than Earth.

“Whereas the source region of Earth’s radio aurora has been studied by many missions, this is our first opportunity to observe the equivalent region at Saturn from the inside.This gives us a fascinating insight into the … Read more >>.

New pathway used by malaria parasite to infect human cells identified

WASHINGTON – A researcher has identified a new pathway used by the malaria parasite to infect human cells.

The discovery, by researchers at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, provides a new vaccine target through which infection with the deadly disease could be prevented.

The most lethal form of malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New pathway used by malaria parasite to infect human cells identified.

Sea-snot blizzard ’caused by Gulf spill’

WASHINGTON – Researchers say that ’sea snot’-sticky clumps of phytoplankton – have been caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The spill sparked an explosion of sticky clumps of organic matter, which may have temporarily wiped out the base of the food chain …. Original source  : Sea-snot blizzard ’caused by Gulf spill’.

Viagra ‘doesn’t work for men with low testosterone’

LONDON – Viagra may not work for men with low testosterone levels, says an expert.

Geoffrey Hackett, a consultant urologist, said men with erectile dysfunction could be “wasting hundreds of pounds on tablets” when their real issue is low testosterone.

He was speaking at the launch of new guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders.

Hackett, … Read more >>.

African-Americans bikers 1.5 times more likely to die in crashes: Study

WASHINGTON – African-American victims of motorcycle crashes were 1.5 times more likely to die in crashes, even if they wore helmets, says a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers.

“For reasons that we are still trying to figure out, one size of injury [..] Read the original article: here.

Kids swear as soon as they learn to speak

WASHINGTON – Kids start using profanities and expletive language as soon as they learn to speak, found a new study.

Researchers also found that children are swearing more often than children did just a few decades ago.

Timothy Jay, a psychology professor at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, suggested … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kids swear as soon as they learn to speak.

First molecule that blocks key component of cancer genes’ on-off switch created

LONDON – Researchers have created the first molecule that can prevent cancer genes from “hearing” their internal instructions, which in turn stifles the cancer process at its root.

The study, led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists, …. Read the original article  : here.

Video games may prepare your kids’ brains for bigger tasks

WASHINGTON – The next time you see your son hooked on to a video game, tell him to spend an hour extra with the joystick, for it might just turn him into a laparoscopic surgeon some day, says a new study.

Reorganisation of the brain’s cortical network in young … Original article on : Video games may prepare your kids’ brains for bigger tasks.

Biometric identification technology ‘inherently fallible’

WASHINGTON – Biometric identification systems are inherently prone to fault, says a new study.

A National Research Council report said that systems that are designed to automatically recognize individuals based on biological and behavioural traits such as fingerprints, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Biometric identification technology ‘inherently fallible’.

Now, a blood test to detect organ transplant rejection

LONDON – A simple blood test can now help doctors in identifying the clues of transplant rejection-a feat that could pave the way for a non-invasive alternative for diagnosing organ rejection before damage occurs, says a new study.

The technique could help the 40 per cent … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, a blood test to detect organ transplant rejection.

Women find it difficult to focus ‘during that time of the month’

WASHINGTON – A new research from Concordia University has stated that high oestrogen levels are associated with an inability to pay attention and learn.

“Our findings, using a well-established model of learning called latent inhibition, shows conclusively that high oestrogen levels inhibit the cognitive ability …. Original source  : Women find it difficult to focus ‘during that time of the month’.

Stress can ‘control the activity of our genes’

WASHINGTON – Stress that affects your entire body and mind can also arise at the cellular level after exposure to pollution, tobacco smoke, bacterial toxins, possibly causing cellular diseases.

Researchers from Dr.Klaus Hansen’s group at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, have just shown that external factors can …. Original article  : Stress can ‘control the activity of our genes’.

Air Force rebuts government report, says Global Positioning System will remain reliable

Air Force rebuts gov’t auditor concerns about GPS

DENVER – A government report raising questions about the future reliability of the Global Positioning System satellite network is “overly pessimistic,” Air Force commanders said Friday.
A report from the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said the latest GPS satellite was launched almost 3?? years behind … Read more : Air Force rebuts government report, says Global Positioning System will remain reliable.

Soyuz capsule successfully undocks from space station after glitches prevented departure

Soyuz capsule undocks from space station
ALMATY, Kazakhstan – A manned Soyuz capsule with two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut onboard has successfully undocked from the International Space Station after crew resolved glitches that had prevented departure a day earlier.

Undocking had been thwarted by signaling errors in the onboard computer system and a malfunction with … Read more >>>.

EPA says 5 states must fortify their Chesapeake Bay restoration plans or face federal action

EPA: 5 states must toughen Chesapeake Bay plans

BALTIMORE – Five of six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed must strengthen their restoration plans or face tighter federal regulation, the EPA announced Friday.
Plans filed by the District of Columbia and Maryland represent a strong start but those of five other bay watershed states have gaps the … Original source on Gaea Times at : EPA says 5 states must fortify their Chesapeake Bay restoration plans or face federal action.

Senegal’s scientists hope black-eyed peas used in recipes will help reduce cost of bread

Black-eyed peas ‘crop of the future’ for Senegal

DAKAR, Senegal – At a pilot bakery inside the Food Technology Institute in Senegal’s capital Friday, cooks in white smocks tried to make bread out of a novel ingredient – peas.
Wheat is still a crucial ingredient in bread because of its gluten content, necessary for the dough to …. Source article  : Senegal’s scientists hope black-eyed peas used in recipes will help reduce cost of bread.

Helping kids cope better with impact of bullying

SYDNEY – Researchers have identified four factors that can help children overcome victimisation and soften the impact of bullying on their future happiness.

Helping children developing these characteristics can reduce depression, anxiety and behavioural problems when bullied by their peers, the researchers say.
Most children will experience some form of bullying as they grow. Puneet …. Original article  : Helping kids cope better with impact of bullying.

Sunny Sunday in Delhi, rains unlikely

NEW DELHI – Sunday morning was bright and sunny in Delhi and the weatherman said no rains are in store in the capital in the next few days.

“The skies will remain clear with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius,” an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Delhi … Read more >>.

Gulf oil displaced, killed whale sharks?

WASHINGTON – As an aftermath of one of the largest oil spill accident in the Gulf of Mexico, the feeding habitat of whale sharks has been destroyed, possibly killing some of the world’s largest fish, a new research has suggested.

An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil (one barrel equals 42 gallons, or 159 liters) flowed … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gulf oil displaced, killed whale sharks?.

‘Citizen scientists’ could tackle environmental disasters

WASHINGTON – Scientists are looking forward to engage ‘citizen scientists’ into the task of data collection so that the environmental disasters could be tackled more efficiently.

Jules White of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is seeking to create a massive data collection system that would rely on information captured by “citizen scientists” …. Read the original article  : ‘Citizen scientists’ could tackle environmental disasters.

At UN, climate ministers remain deadlocked before next major summit in December

At UN, climate ministers seek way out of stalemate

UNITED NATIONS – Climate ministers and top negotiators from dozens of nations remain deadlocked over how to cut greenhouse gases less than three months before the next major international climate summit.
The U.N.’s top climate official told a high-level gathering Saturday that the key issues “are frankly in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : At UN, climate ministers remain deadlocked before next major summit in December.

Montana, other Western states could benefit from California’s push to use more renewable power

Calif. push for renewables could blow across West

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana and other states in the West could wind up being the unintended beneficiaries of an aggressive push to decrease fossil fuel use in California, industry representatives and others say.
The California Air Resources Board on Thursday adopted a new standard mandating that utilities in that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Montana, other Western states could benefit from California’s push to use more renewable power.

Britain’s new opposition chief ‘Red Ed’ Miliband offers easy charm, razor sharp intellect

UK opposition chief has new ideas and human touch

LONDON – New British opposition leader Ed Miliband triumphed against his better known brother in the race to become Labour Party chief by showcasing his razor sharp intellect and common touch, skills his supporters say will help him oust Prime Minister David Cameron at Britain’s next election.
The … Read more >>.

Agra monuments, colonies flooded as Yamuna level rise

AGRA – Water level in the Yamuna river continued to rise Saturday leading to flooding of some monuments, about a dozen colonies and a few villages in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra district, officials said.

Low lying areas in Vrindavan and other areas in the neighbouring Mathura district also battled with flood waters.
On Saturday, the river’s level … Read more »».

35 tourists stranded as Himachal valley still cut off

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh’s picturesque Sangla Valley remained cut off from the rest of the country for the sixth day Saturday, an official said.

Incessant rainfall in the region had triggered massive landslides that blocked the road leading to the valley in Kinnaur district.
“The road link to the Sangla Valley couldn’t be restored so far. …. Original source  : 35 tourists stranded as Himachal valley still cut off.

Sunny day in Delhi, no more rains

NEW DELHI – It was a sunny Saturday after a spate of cloudy and rainy days. The weatherman predicted no more rains in the next few days.

“There will be no rainfall in the next few days, it will be mainly a clear sky,” an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
No rainfall …. Read the original article  : Sunny day in Delhi, no more rains.

Yamuna flood threat recedes in Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Flood threat in Haryana receded as discharge of water from the Hathinikund barrage into the Yamuna river has gone down to 54,452 cusecs Saturday, officials said.

“There has been a considerable dip in the discharge of water from the Hathinikund barrage into the Yamuna. Today (Saturday) there was a discharge of only 54,452 cusecs …. Source article  : Yamuna flood threat recedes in Haryana.

Agra, Mathura badly hit as Yamuna water rises

AGRA – The water level in the Yamuna river continued to rise in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra and Mathura districts, cutting off dozens of villages and inundating agricultural fields. Water also entered the moat of the magnificent, 16th century Agra Fort and the Kailash temple on the Agra-Delhi highway.

In Vrindavan in Mathura district, at least a …. Source article  : Agra, Mathura badly hit as Yamuna water rises.

Soyuz spacecraft with US, Russian astronauts onboard lands in Kazakhstan steppe

Soyuz capsule lands in Kazakh steppe with 3 aboard

ALMATY, Kazakhstan – A Russian Soyuz capsule carrying three astronauts who lived six months on the International Space Station touched down safely, but one day late, Saturday morning in the cloudy, central steppes of Kazakhstan.
The homecoming of American astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson and Russia’s Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soyuz spacecraft with US, Russian astronauts onboard lands in Kazakhstan steppe.

Moving closer to outdoor recreation won’t help you lose weight

WASHINGTON – If you thought renting an apartment right beside a recreational park would make you get rid of those love handles? Well, then you are wrong, for all that healthy outdoor activity right at your doorstep wouldn’t really help much, says … Read more »»».

Satellites harnessing solar winds can meet world’s energy needs100bn times over

LONDON – Bid adieu to wind power or conventional solar power, for scientists have suggested that the world’s energy needs could be met 100 billion times over using a satellite to harness the solar wind and beam the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mark Zuckerberg says donation has nothing to do with biopic’s release

MELBOURNE – Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has slammed reports that his 100-million-dollar donation to schools was just a trick to clean his image on the same day as the New York premiere of ‘The Social Network’- an unflattering movie about his … Read : Mark Zuckerberg says donation has nothing to do with biopic’s release.

Abortion does not cause depression or low self-esteem in teens

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that teenage girls who have abortions are no more likely to become depressed or have low self-esteem than their peers whose pregnancies do not end in abortion.

Oregon State University and University of California researchers are the first to use both depression and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Abortion does not cause depression or low self-esteem in teens.

Breast cancer survivors with physical limitations more likely to die

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that basic physical limitations following breast cancer treatment can have far-reaching consequences that substantially affect how long a patient lives.

According to the study, breast cancer survivors with functional limitations – an inability to perform normal daily activities – …. Original source  : Breast cancer survivors with physical limitations more likely to die.

Genetic clues to evolution of jaws in vertebrates discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists have unearthed genetic clues to evolution of jaws in vertebrates.

A half-billion years ago, vertebrates lacked the ability to chew their food, as they did not have jaws. Instead, their heads consisted of a flexible, fused basket of cartilage.

Now, an international … Read more »».

New heating system for homes may cut greenhouse gas emissions

WASHINGTON – Experts have suggested that a new heating system where homes would be heated by district centres rather than in individual households could dramatically reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have claimed using sustainable wood …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kids with lung disease prone to serious infections at daycare

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that exposure to common viruses in daycare puts children with a chronic lung condition caused by premature birth at risk for serious respiratory infections.

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center researchers say their findings should … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Kids with lung disease prone to serious infections at daycare.

Scientists reveal improved techniques for predicting volcanic eruptions

LONDON – An international team of geophysicists from the universities of Leeds, Purdue, Indiana and Addis Ababa has discovered better techniques to pinpoint where volcanic eruptions are likely to occur.

“Until now, our knowledge of volcanic events has been based on isolated cases. We have demonstrated that volcanic eruptions can influence each other. This will help … Original article on : Scientists reveal improved techniques for predicting volcanic eruptions.

Indian-American working on robots to improve daily life

WASHINGTON – They’re mundane, yet daunting tasks: Tidying a messy room or assembling a bookshelf from a kit of parts. Fetching a hairbrush for someone who can’t do it herself. What if a robot could do it for you?

Assistant professor of computer science Ashutosh Saxena at the Cornell University in the US, who did his …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Sixth sense’ makes lovey-dovey couples’ brains work in sync

LONDON – Always wondered how your partner could actually read your mind? Well, this is not just a fruit of your imagination, for scientists have now found that some couples are so in tune that their brains begin to work in sync.

The research points to the existence of …. Original source  : ‘Sixth sense’ makes lovey-dovey couples’ brains work in sync.

Optogenetics used to effectively stimulate muscle movement in mice

WASHINGTON – Researchers have used a new technique-optogenetics-to stimulate muscle movement in mice whose nerve-cell surfaces are coated with special light-sensitive proteins.

The new approach allows scientists to more accurately reproduce muscle firing order, making it a valuable research tool.

Researchers at Stanford University employed a technology known as optogenetics, which … Read : Optogenetics used to effectively stimulate muscle movement in mice.

Gifted kids as prone to failure as to success

LONDON – Kids, who are gifted with one talent or the other, are just as likely to fail in life as succeed, revealed a new study.

As part of one of the most extensive studies carried out, research … Read more >>.

Partners of breast cancer patients at high risk of developing mood disorders

WASHINGTON – Men, whose partners suffer from breast cancer, are more prone to develop mood disorders, which are so severe that they warrant hospitalisation, revealed a new analysis.

The study indicates that clinicians should address the mental health of cancer …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Partners of breast cancer patients at high risk of developing mood disorders.

Sunny day in Delhi, no rains expected

NEW DELHI – The sun shone brightly over Delhi Monday with the weather office predicting clear skies and no rains over the next few days.

“It will be a clear sky today (Monday) and no rains are in store for the next few days,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The …. Source  : Sunny day in Delhi, no rains expected.

Mutilated remains suggest genocide wiped out Native American population

WASHINGTON – A new study revealed that the Native American population was wiped out by genocide that took place circa 800 A.D.

Archaeologists are basing their conclusion on crushed leg bones, battered skulls and other mutilated human remains that were uncovered in Sacred Ridge, southwest of Durango, Colo.

Jason Chuipka and James Potter said that the massacre …. Read the original article  : Mutilated remains suggest genocide wiped out Native American population.

Plans to haul giant oil refinery loads over scenic highway sparks big fight in Idaho, Montana

Plans to haul big oil refinery loads spark battle

KAMIAH, Idaho – Lewis and Clark traversed part of the route that would one day become U.S. Highway 12 during their 1804-06 Corps of Discovery mission to the Pacific Ocean.
So did the Nez Perce Indians during the tribe’s epic 1877 flight on horseback from the U.S. Army.
Now …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Plans to haul giant oil refinery loads over scenic highway sparks big fight in Idaho, Montana.

VP’s official residence at DC’s Naval Observatory getting $1.7M security upgrade

VP’s official residence getting security upgrade

WASHINGTON – The vice president’s official residence is getting a security upgrade.
The Washington Examiner reported Sunday that the Navy plans to install a 10-foot security fence and additional security checkpoints around Vice President Joe Biden’s residential compound at the Naval Observatory in northwest Washington.
The National Capital Planning Commission has approved … Original source on Gaea Times at : VP’s official residence at DC’s Naval Observatory getting $1.7M security upgrade.

Flood situation in Agra worsens

AGRA -The flood situation in the Agra region took an alarming turn as the water level in Yamuna crossed the medium flood level of 152.09 metres Sunday evening, submerging most of the Taj Heritage Corridor and the waterworks, cutting off supplies to half of this Taj city

The river level is feared to touch 152.4 metres … Original article on : Flood situation in Agra worsens.

Yamuna to fall below danger mark by Monday morning

NEW DELHI – The water level in the swollen Yamuna will fall below the danger level by Monday morning, an official of the department of irrigation and flood control said Sunday.

“The Yamuna has receded to 204.94 metres as of now and short spurts of water are being released from Haryana, which is normal,” the …. Read the original article  : Yamuna to fall below danger mark by Monday morning.

UAE to host Dugong conservation meet

Abu Dhabi, Sep 26 (IANS/WAM) Marine experts from across the globe will meet here Oct 4-6 to discuss the conservation of the Dugong, it was announced Sunday.

Experts from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and NGOs will also participate in the discussion at Radisson Blue Hotel in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. …. Original source  : UAE to host Dugong conservation meet.

Oxytocin, love hormone, could cure shyness

LONDON – The love hormone oxytocin helps one conquer shyness in social situations, and could prove beneficial for those suffering from autism, say researchers.

The biochemical is known to enhance bonding especially among parents and children.
But now researchers have found it boosts the social skills of the shy – but has little effect … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oxytocin, love hormone, could cure shyness.

iPhone application shows your common ancestors

LONDON – A new iPhone application, TimeTree, permits you to see how long ago you shared a common ancestor with any species. The application was developed by scientists, including one of Indian origin, at Penn State University in the US.

A circular ‘Tree of Life’ image shows the route life has taken from its single …. Source  : iPhone application shows your common ancestors.

How Egyptians erected their giant pyramids

WASHINGTON – A researcher has the answer to an ancient, unsolved puzzle – how the Egyptians erected their giant pyramids.

Researchers have been so preoccupied by the weight of the stones that they tend to overlook two major problems: How did the Egyptians know exactly where to put the enormously heavy building blocks? And how was … Original article on : How Egyptians erected their giant pyramids.

Printers that don’t need computers unveiled

LONDON – In good news for people working away from their offices, HP has introduced a new range of printers that connect directly with mobile devices and can be accessed remotely.

The launch of the new ePrint platform gives each device an e-mail address and allows documents to be e-mailed directly to the printer for …. Original source  : Printers that don’t need computers unveiled.

What our solar system would look like to aliens

LONDON – Scientists relied on a NASA supercomputer to figure out how our solar system would look like to aliens looking for other planets.

New simulations have tracked the interactions of myriads of dust grains to show that this view might have changed as our planetary system matured.
And astronomers hope that the new view could … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : What our solar system would look like to aliens.

‘Bombile’ is the latest terror in Assam

GUWAHATI – ‘Bombile’ is the latest phrase terrorizing Assam with reports of mobile phones suddenly exploding, causing the user to become unconscious. The mysterious phenomenon has prompted Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to order a scientific probe to unravel the bizarre occurrences.

An estimated 30 cases have been reported so far with more than 20 people admitted …. Original source  : ‘Bombile’ is the latest terror in Assam.

New Zealand rescuers fail in bid to cut entangled humpback whale free from rope, likely death

NZ rescuers fail to cut rope from entangled whale

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand rescuers Tuesday failed in a bid to cut free a humpback whale entangled in a heavy rope that officials said would likely cause its slow death.
Spotted close to North Island’s east coast by a fisherman on Monday, the large humpback had …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New Zealand rescuers fail in bid to cut entangled humpback whale free from rope, likely death.

Complexity ‘allows organisms to adapt to environmental change’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that instead of decreasing an organism’s ability to adapt to environmental changes, complexity in fact boosts it.

University of Michigan and Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes researchers that complexity can, indeed, develop through evolutionary processes and best equips organisms to adapt to environmental change.

The study focused on a genetic …. Read the original article  : Complexity ‘allows organisms to adapt to environmental change’.

‘Gentle’ skin creams could give your baby eczema

LONDON – The modern-day bath oils and lotions are not good for a child’s skin-as they are apparently a reason for the increase in the number of newborns having eczema.

Eczema earlier affected four per cent of newborns, but now the figure is around 25 per cent.

New research by a leading expert has indicated that …. Source article  : ‘Gentle’ skin creams could give your baby eczema.

Viagra, anti-cancer drug combo shrinks tumors in vivo

WASHINGTON – Viagra when combined with doxorubicin, a powerful anti-cancer drug, enhances its anti-tumour efficacy in prostate cancer and also lessens the damage to the heart, a new study has suggested.

For more than four decades, the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin has been used to treat a number of human cancers, including that of the prostate. …. Source  : Viagra, anti-cancer drug combo shrinks tumors in vivo.

New approach to fight HIV could spur vaccine development

LONDON – By preventing shape-shifting in a key segment of protein from HIV, the immune system can be primed to develop antibodies against the virus, which in turn could pave way for an AIDS vaccine.

Such antibodies, elicited against specific protein segments, could one day serve as the basis for a vaccine to fight many different …. Read the original article  : New approach to fight HIV could spur vaccine development.

Family, culture decide whether intelligence leads to education

WASHINGTON – Intelligence indeed decides how much education a person gets, but family, culture, and other factors too play a big role in a person’s academic success, says a new study.

A new study compares identical and fraternal twins in Minnesota and Sweden to explore how genetic and environmental factors involved in educational differ in countries … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Family, culture decide whether intelligence leads to education.

Agra wakes up to polythene menace, starts drains’ clean-up

AGRA – The Agra Municipal Corporation Tuesday launched a massive drive to clean up the city’s open drains of thousands of quintals of polythene bags, empty bottles and wrappers that had choked for the past four days the discharge of waste water into the Yamuna river.

“We have put up machines and men and are … Original source on Gaea Times at : Agra wakes up to polythene menace, starts drains’ clean-up.

Exercise ‘cuts risk of fractures in elderly’

WASHINGTON – Home-based exercises followed by voluntary home training could cut the risk of hip fractures among elderly women, says a new study.

Researchers found that exercise is apparently linked with long-term effects on balance and gait (manner of walking), and may help protect high-risk, elderly women from hip fractures, according to a report

“Falls are [..] Read the original article: here.

Surgery effective for aggressive prostate cancer patients

WASHINGTON – Surgery provides high survival rates for patients with aggressive prostate cancer, found a new study.

The study is one of the first to focus exclusively on the outcomes after treatment for patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

Collaborating researchers at Mayo Clinic and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia discovered that patients with the most aggressive …. Source article  : Surgery effective for aggressive prostate cancer patients.

How nerve cells regenerate after injury

WASHINGTON – The peripheral nerves that connect our limbs and organs to the central nervous system have an astonishing ability to regenerate themselves after injury, unlike nerves of the spinal cord. And now researchers have revealed how this healing process works.

“We know a lot about how various cell types differentiate during development, but after [..] Read the original article: here.

Claims of sexual dysfunction in females overrated, says new book

LONDON – While experts aver that millions of women around the world suffer from sexual difficulty such as low libido and discomfort, a new book has said that all these claims are mere exaggerations to boost sales of ‘Viagra’ like drugs for what they call female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Pharmaceutical companies have spent millions to … Original article on : Claims of sexual dysfunction in females overrated, says new book.

Protein could help in treatment of osteoporosis

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan have discovered a protein that could help in the development of approaches to treat age-related osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone mass and increased risk of fracture – an imbalance created by decrease in formation of bone forming osteoblast cells from mesenchymal cells upon aging. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Protein could help in treatment of osteoporosis.

Electronic circuits to ‘rewire brain connectivity post trauma’

WASHINGTON – Kansas University Medical Centre researchers are developing microelectronic circuitry that could rewire brain connections that get damaged by trauma.

Pedram Mohseni, and Randolph J. Nudo are trying to guide the growth of axons in a brain damaged by an exploding bomb, car crash or stroke. They believe repeated communications between distant neurons in the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Electronic circuits to ‘rewire brain connectivity post trauma’.

Electric cars more promising for ‘cutting emissions and US oil imports’

WASHINGTON – A new research revealed that electric cars hold a greater promise for reducing emissions and lowering U.S. oil imports than a national renewable portfolio standard.

Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy found “the single most effective way to reduce U.S. oil demand and foreign imports would be an aggressive campaign to launch electric … Read more : Electric cars more promising for ‘cutting emissions and US oil imports’.

Vitamin supplements ‘up skin cancer risk’

LONDON – Scientists have revealed that millions of people who take daily vitamin pills could be putting themselves at risk of the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Research has revealed that supplements containing antioxidants and minerals appear to increase the chances of developing a malignant melanoma.

Volunteers given pills containing vitamin E, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, selenium and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vitamin supplements ‘up skin cancer risk’.

Could a magnet on your head turn you from right to left-handed?

WASHINGTON – If you are a right-handed person, chances are you will use that hand to pick up a cup of coffee or write, but a new study shows that a magnet on your head could very well make you a leftie.

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Could a magnet on your head turn you from right to left-handed?.

Mindfulness meditation may alleviate fatigue, depression in MS patients

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that learning mindfulness meditation may help people who have multiple sclerosis (MS) with the fatigue, depression and other life challenges that commonly accompany the disease.

For the study, 150 people with mild to moderate MS were randomly assigned to receive either the eight-week meditation training or only usual medical …. Original source  : Mindfulness meditation may alleviate fatigue, depression in MS patients.

Solar rickshaw finds no takers

BANGALORE – A solar electric rickshaw launched with great fanfare by India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) two years ago is yet to find any takers. While this is causing concern, a Pune engineer has claimed the CSIR copied his design.

The three-wheeled “soleckshaw” can in principle use solar panels to convert sunlight into …. Source  : Solar rickshaw finds no takers.

Women who smoke ‘four times more likely to have ectopic pregnancy’

LONDON – Women who smoke regularly are four times more likely to have ectopic pregnancy than those who don’t smoke, say scientists.

Researchers of the Edinburgh University have found a chemical in cigarette smoke that causes a reaction, which may lead to ectopic pregnancies.

The researchers said Cotinine triggered a …. Source article  : Women who smoke ‘four times more likely to have ectopic pregnancy’.

Acupuncture ‘does not aid in stroke recovery’

WASHINGTON – Acupuncture does not appear to help in stroke recovery, reveals a new study.

Acupuncture is often used to supplement traditional stroke rehabilitation, although its effectiveness is uncertain.

This study, perhaps the most comprehensive to date as it includes trials published in English language and Asian journals, was a systematic review conducted by researchers in South … Original source on Gaea Times at : Acupuncture ‘does not aid in stroke recovery’.

‘True midlife crisis ‘begins in 30s’ for overworked Brits: Survey

LONDON – People in their 30s are not that worried about a receding hairline than work and relationship pressures, which actually is the start of their unhappiest decade-the “true midlife crisis”, revealed a Brit survey.

Of those questioned, more people aged 35 to 44 said that they felt lonely or depressed than in other age groups.

The [..] Read the original article: here.

White noise sessions in class improves learning in kids

WASHINGTON – Playing white noise in class can boost memory in inattentive kids, says a new study.esearchers tested the effect of the meaningless random noise on a group of 51 schoolchildren, finding that although it hindered the ability of those who normally pay attention, it improved the memory of those that had difficulties in paying … Original source on Gaea Times at : White noise sessions in class improves learning in kids.

Protein key to pancreatic cancer growth identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a protein that could provide a target to develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer or enable earlier diagnosis.

Researchers from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry found that nearly three quarters of pancreatic …. Source article  : Protein key to pancreatic cancer growth identified.

Early life stress has lasting effects on gene vital to normal brain function

WASHINGTON – A new animal study has suggested that early life stress, such as an extreme lack of parental affection, has lasting effects on a gene important to normal brain processes and also tied to mental disorders.

In the last decade, researchers have found evidence that experiences can alter the form and structure of DNA, an …. Original source  : Early life stress has lasting effects on gene vital to normal brain function.

Contraception device may help treat endometrial cancer

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that intrauterine devices, originally developed as contraceptives, can also be used to treat and cure cancer of the endometrium.

The finding opens the way for young women with the disease, which affects the lining of the womb, to be treated without the need for a hysterectomy, which leads to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Contraception device may help treat endometrial cancer.

Sodium plays key role in initiating regenerative response after injury

WASHINGTON – Sodium, which gets a bad rap for contributing to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, also plays a key role in initiating a regenerative response after severe injury, say scientists.

Biologists at Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences have discovered a way to regenerate injured spinal cord and muscle by using small molecule drugs to …. Source article  : Sodium plays key role in initiating regenerative response after injury.

Scientists discover cancer treatment in ‘junk DNA’

LONDON – Scientists have discovered a way to shrink tumours in certain cancers – a finding that provides hope for new treatments.

The cancers in question are those caused by a new class of genes known as ‘microRNAs’, produced by parts of the genome that, until recently, were dismissed as ‘junk DNA’.

The current finding identifies one …. Original source  : Scientists discover cancer treatment in ‘junk DNA’.

China says countries to focus on reducing differences at climate talks next week

China says climate talks to focus on differences

BEIJING – China’s top climate change official said Wednesday that countries have little expectation of reaching a binding climate treaty this year but instead will focus on narrowing their differences ahead of the year-end summit in Cancun.
Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and …. Original article  : China says countries to focus on reducing differences at climate talks next week.

Gene linked to aggressive skin cancer identified

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that the loss of a gene known as INPP5A could predict the onset, and track the progression, of an aggressive type of skin cancer.

The research has been published by the Arizona Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and the Translational Genomics …. Source  : Gene linked to aggressive skin cancer identified.

Starting HIV treatment early preserves immune function

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that HIV-infected individuals who begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after acquiring the virus may have stronger immune responses to other pathogens than HIV-infected individuals who begin ART later.

The findings from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) … Read more >>>.

1 in 5 plants faces extinction

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that the world’s plants are as threatened as mammals, with one in five of the world’s plant species threatened with extinction.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew together with the Natural History Museum, London and the International Union conducted a global analysis …. Original source  : 1 in 5 plants faces extinction.

Social rejection puts the brakes on your heart

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that being rejected by another person makes your heart rate drop for a moment.

Research has shown that the brain processes physical and social pain in some of the same regions.

Bregtje Gunther Moor, Eveline A. …. Source article  : Social rejection puts the brakes on your heart.

‘Green’ concrete cuts 90pc more greenhouse gases than ordinary cement

WASHINGTON – Louisiana Tech University is developing geopolymer concrete, an innovative and environmentally friendly building material, with a life cycle greenhouse gas reduction potential – as much as 90 percent when compared with ordinary Portland cement.

Developed by Dr. Erez …. Source  : ‘Green’ concrete cuts 90pc more greenhouse gases than ordinary cement.

Eco-friendly sprays bring drought-resistant plants closer to reality

WASHINGTON – Latest study from Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) scientists could lead to eco-friendly sprays that help plants survive drought.

“I think that the work established the methodologies and feasibilities of finding cheap and environmentally … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Eco-friendly sprays bring drought-resistant plants closer to reality.

Tamiflu may prevent pneumonia in swine flu patients

LONDON – A new Chinese study has revealed that people who caught swine flu during the 2009 pandemic may have been protected against developing radiographic pneumonia by taking Tamiflu.

The researchers also show that the antiviral …. Original source  : Tamiflu may prevent pneumonia in swine flu patients.

Mechanism behind gene linked to both Alzheimer’s, diabetes identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified the mechanism behind a single gene that is responsible for causing both Alzheimer’s disease and Type 2 diabetes.

The data show that a gene for a protein called SorCS1, which can cause Type 2 diabetes, impacts the accumulation of amyloid-beta …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mechanism behind gene linked to both Alzheimer’s, diabetes identified.

Tweaking IVF can influence baby’s sex

MELBOURNE – Tweaking In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) has a remarkable effect on male-female birth ratios, revealed a new Australian study.

Trends have been reported before, but often the statistics have been drawn by just looking at individual clinics.

But a new study from the University of New South … Read : Tweaking IVF can influence baby’s sex.

Why lions roar and cats meow

LONDON – Scientists have found that the low roar of a lion, or the meow of a wildcat, has more to do with where a cat lives than its size.

Dr Gustav Peters and Dr Marcell Peters at the Alexander Koenig Zoological Research Museum in Bonn, Germany, analysed the [..] Read the original article: here.

Scientists say mussel infestation may be greater threat to Great Lakes than dreaded Asian carp

Scientists: Mussels may leave carp nothing to eat

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – If huge, hungry Asian carp reach Lake Michigan, their long-dreaded invasion may turn out to be less ferocious than once expected because a tiny competitor is gobbling up their primary food source, some Great Lakes researchers say.
The quagga mussel, a thumbnail-sized foreign mullosk first …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Man’s first step on moon: lost footage found, restored

LONDON – Footage of astronaut Neil Armstrong going down the ladder of the Apollo 11 spacecraft for the historic walk on the moon has been found, restored and will now be screened for the first time in Sydney.

The video barely runs for a few minutes, yet it is thought to be one of the …. Original article  : Man’s first step on moon: lost footage found, restored.

Protein diet in childhood takes a toll on food binges later

WASHINGTON – A high protein diet at a young age makes the body to react unhealthily to future food binges.

A study on juvenile rats suggests that lasting changes result from altering the composition of the first solid food that is consumed throughout growth into early adulthood.

Raylene Reimer worked with a team of researchers from …. Read the original article  : Protein diet in childhood takes a toll on food binges later.

Novel discoveries offer new ways to design HIV vaccine

LONDON – Paving a new way for designing AIDS vaccines, researchers have made novel discoveries about the immune defenses of rare HIV patients who produce antibodies that prevent infection.

Researchers at Rockefeller University and colleagues have now made two fundamental discoveries about the so-called broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies, which effectively keep the virus at bay.

By … Read more : Novel discoveries offer new ways to design HIV vaccine.

Facebook purges pages referring to paedophile group NAMBLA

WASHINGTON – Facebook has begun to remove pages that refer to the North American Man/Boy Love Association after the presence of the nefarious paedophile advocacy group was revealed in a FoxNews.com exclusive report.

Group pages that have been scrubbed from Facebook include The Greensburg group of the North American Man Boy Love Association, whose page featured …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Goa pollution board cracks down on illegal mining

PANAJI – The fate of 51 open cast iron ore mines now hangs in balance as they carried on mining without proper clearances from the state pollution control board. The board will decide soon whether the mining operations at these sites will be allowed to continue.

The state’s top pollution authority also said that mine …. Original article  : Goa pollution board cracks down on illegal mining.

Breast cancer in young women ‘ups risk of disease in relatives’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that close relatives of women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 35 years are at an increased risk of developing other cancers

The findings from University of Melbourne are surprising and novel which could be pointing to the existence of a new cancer genetic syndrome.

“The results suggest …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Breast cancer in young women ‘ups risk of disease in relatives’.

ADHD is a genetic disorder, finds study

LONDON – A new study has discovered that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genetic condition and not the outcome of poor parenting or bad diet.

Scientists at Cardiff University found that children with ADHD were more likely to have small segments of their DNA duplicated or missing than other children.

The study also found significant … Read more »»».

Genes that make people tall or short identified

LONDON – An international team of scientists have found that a seemingly simple inherited trait – height – springs from hundreds of genetic causes.

The study identified hundreds of gene variants in at least 180 locations that influence adult height, an observable trait. Robert Kaplan, professor of epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein …. Original source  : Genes that make people tall or short identified.

New study lays foundation for building on the Moon

WASHINGTON – To build a structure anywhere, testing the nature of its foundation is of utmost importance, but it is difficult to test some building sites in advance – such as those on the moon. New research from North Carolina State University is helping resolve the problem by using computer models.

These models can utilize a … Read more : New study lays foundation for building on the Moon.

Simple approach to ‘wipe out’ oil remaining from Exxon Valdez spill

WASHINGTON – Scientists have reported that traces of crude oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill remain highly biodegradable, despite almost 20 years of weathering and decomposition.

Their findings suggest a simple approach for further cleaning up remaining traces of the Exxon Valdez spill.

Albert D. Venosa and colleagues found that bacteria, evaporation and sunlight work together … Original source on Gaea Times at : Simple approach to ‘wipe out’ oil remaining from Exxon Valdez spill.

Rights activists from Brazil, Nepal, Nigeria and Israel share 2010 ‘Alternative Nobel’

Rights activists share Alternative Nobel
STOCKHOLM – Human rights and environmental activists from Nepal, Nigeria, Brazil and Israel were named the winners Thursday of this year’s Right Livelihood Award, also known as the “alternative Nobel.”

They are Nigeria’s Nnimmo Bassey, chairman of Friends of the Earth International, Austrian-Brazilian Bishop Erwin Kraeutler, Shrikrishna Upadhyay for his fight against …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rights activists from Brazil, Nepal, Nigeria and Israel share 2010 ‘Alternative Nobel’.

UN: Opium production in Afghanistan down by almost half in 2010 due to plant disease

UN: Afghan opium production halved in 2010

VIENNA – Afghanistan’s opium production declined by almost half this year due largely to the spread of a disease that damaged poppy plants, but the amount of land used for growing the crop remained the same, the U.N.’s drug agency said Thursday.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime …. Source article  : UN: Opium production in Afghanistan down by almost half in 2010 due to plant disease.

Energy efficient LEDs to ‘make you feel homey at home’

WASHINGTON – A new lab at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is helping to bring LEDs (light emitting diodes) into homes, to help save both energy costs and the environment.

“LEDs can be very energy efficient, and they are a lot smaller and last a lot longer than light bulbs,” said NIST vision …. Read the original article  : Energy efficient LEDs to ‘make you feel homey at home’.

Rivers serving 80pc of world’s population under threat

LONDON – Researchers have revealed that multiple environmental stressors, such as agricultural runoff, pollution and invasive species, threaten rivers that serve 80 percent of the world’s population, around 5 billion people.

These same stressors endanger the biodiversity of 65 percent of the world’s river habitats and put thousands of aquatic wildlife species at risk, according to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rivers serving 80pc of world’s population under threat.

Scientists develop new technique to reattach teeth using stem cells

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have for the first time developed and successfully tested a new approach to anchor teeth back in the jaw using stem cells.

Researchers in UIC’s Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics used stem cells obtained from the periodontal ligament of molars extracted from mice, expanded them in … Read more : Scientists develop new technique to reattach teeth using stem cells.

Species accumulating on Earth at slower rates than in the past: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that species are still accumulating on Earth but at a slower rate than in the past.

Computational biologists at the University of Pennsylvania developed a novel computational approach to infer the dynamics of species diversification using the family trees … Original source on Gaea Times at : Species accumulating on Earth at slower rates than in the past: Study.

Women treated for breast cancer while pregnant have improved survival

WASHINGTON – A new study has discovered that women treated for breast cancer while pregnant have improved disease-free survival and a trend for improved overall survival compared to non-pregnant women treated for the disease.

Jennifer Litton, M.D., assistant professor in UT MD Anderson’s Department of Breast Medical Oncology, presented the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Women treated for breast cancer while pregnant have improved survival.

Novel drug eases osteoarthritis knee pain

LONDON – A new research has shown that a phase II clinical trial of the first new type of drug for musculoskeletal pain since aspirin shows that it significantly reduces knee pain in osteoarthritis.

According to the new research from Northwestern Medicine, phase III trials of that drug, tanezumab, have been …. Read the original article  : here.

How HRT and the Pill can lead to breast cancer

LONDON – Synthetic sex hormones called progestins used in hormone replacement therapy, HRT, and in contraceptives can increase the risk of breast cancers, say experts.

And now medical researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna have … Read this article on Gaea Times at : How HRT and the Pill can lead to breast cancer.

Alcohol consumption on the rise, finds research

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that due to various factors, including social, economic and ethnic influences and pressures, more people are drinking than 20 years ago.

A UT Southwestern Medical Center analysis of national alcohol consumption patterns gathered the data from more than …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New study challenges Clovis comet catastrophe theory

WASHINGTON – The controversial theory that an ancient comet impact devastated the Clovis people, one of the earliest known cultures to inhabit North America, has been challenged by a new research.

Archaeologists Vance Holliday (University of Arizona) and David Meltzer …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New study challenges Clovis comet catastrophe theory.