Scientists a step closer to 100pc lead-free electronics

WASHINGTON – A new research by materials engineers from the University of Leeds has paved the way for 100 pc lead-free electronics.

The work, carried out at the UK’s synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, reveals the potential of a new manmade material to replace lead-based ceramics in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists a step closer to 100pc lead-free electronics.

One species becomes extinct every fortnight in England

LONDON – England is losing a species every fortnight, according to a study.

Previous studies focused on the historical loss of iconic species like birds and animals. But the Oxford University study looked at the extinction of lesser-known species like lichen, microbial slime and mosses, Daily Mail reported on its website Tuesday.
It … Original source on Gaea Times at : One species becomes extinct every fortnight in England.

Transgenic cassava roots could address vitamin A deficiency

WASHINGTON – A natural variation shows promise for increasing provitamin A in cassava roots using transgenic or conventional methods.

Professor Peter Beyer from Freiberg University in Germany, together with researchers at the International Center for …. Original source  : Transgenic cassava roots could address vitamin A deficiency.

Inflammation post injury ‘helps to heal damaged muscle tissue’

WASHINGTON – New research shows that inflammation actually helps to heal damaged muscle tissue, turning conventional wisdom on its head that inflammation must be largely controlled to encourage healing.

These findings could lead to new therapies for …. Read the original article  : Inflammation post injury ‘helps to heal damaged muscle tissue’.

Fossil discovery indicates retreating glaciers boosted biodiversity

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Christian-Albrechts- Universitat zu Kiel (CAU) showed that biodiversity decreases towards the poles almost everywhere in the world, except along the South American Pacific coast.

Investigating fossil clams and snails Steffen Kiel and Sven Nielsen show that …. Original source  : Fossil discovery indicates retreating glaciers boosted biodiversity.

German masculine language forms express distance and distaste

WASHINGTON – A new thesis from the University of Gothenburg reveals that masculine language forms in German are used to express distance and distaste.

In German – women are feminine in the language, while men are masculine. This means that anyone who [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, jewellery that whispers in the ear!

LONDON – Forget whispering sweet nothings into your lover’s ear, for a piece of jewellery does it literally.

With the new design by Cheng Xu, a student in tangible interactive design at Carnegie Mellon University, your beloved can now …. Original article  : Now, jewellery that whispers in the ear!.

Family-based treatment ‘better for teens with anorexia’

WASHINGTON – Family based treatments are likely to work better in treating anorexia nervosa in teens, suggests a new study.

However, adolescents in family-based programs are more likely to achieve full remission six or 12 months after treatment.

James Lock of Stanford University and colleagues randomly assigned …. Source  : Family-based treatment ‘better for teens with anorexia’.

Deep brain stimulation shows promise for OCD

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that using electrodes to stimulate areas deep within the brain are likely to be an alternative therapy for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder that is resistant to treatment.

Current treatments for the Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include cognitive behavioural therapy and medication.

These …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

1st marine Census shows richer, more diverse ocean life than thought

WASHINGTON – 2,700 scientists from 80 nations have reported the first marine life Census after a 10-year exploration.

The first global Census of Marine Life presents an unprecedented picture of the diversity, distribution, and abundance of all kinds of marine life in Planet Ocean – from microbes to whales, from the icy poles to the warm … Read more : 1st marine Census shows richer, more diverse ocean life than thought.

Differences in teen drunkenness declining across cultures, genders

WASHINGTON – In the last 10 years, cultural and gender-based differences in the frequency of drunkenness among adolescents have declined, reports a new study.

Drunkenness has become more common in Eastern Europe and among girls and less common in Western countries and among boys.

“A responsive public health policy with respect to adolescent drunkenness requires evidence-based information …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Comparing Indian and classical singing could help find speech disorder cure

WASHINGTON – By comparing Hindustani singing, a North Indian traditional style of singing, and classical singing, such as the music of Puccini, Mozart and Wagner, researchers at the University of Missouri hopes of finding a treatment for a speech disorder called laryngeal tremors.

Laryngeal tremors is a vocal disorder linked with many neurological disorders that can …. Read the original article  : Comparing Indian and classical singing could help find speech disorder cure.

Rosetta performs close fly-by at asteroid (21) Lutetia

WASHINGTON – The International Rosetta Mission performed a successful close fly-by at the main-belt asteroid (21) Lutetia on 10 July 2010.

Closest approach occurred at 15:45 UTC at a distance of 3160 km – only 2 kilometres further out than the minimum distance Rosetta had to keep in order to track the asteroid continuously.

Rosetta passed the [..] Read the original article: here.

Supercomputer simulations offer insights into the origin of life

WASHINGTON – Scientists are using supercomputer simulations at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to unravel how nucleic acids could have contributed to the origins of life.

A research team led by Jeremy Smith, who directs ORNL’s Center for Molecular Biophysics and holds a Governor’s Chair at University of Tennessee, used molecular dynamics simulation …. Source  : Supercomputer simulations offer insights into the origin of life.

Microsoft’s LightSpace technology to revolutionise PowerPoint

LONDON – Microsoft’s LightSpace technology is set to take the digital world by storm – by allowing you to touch and play with light – it will ensure that slide presentations are no more a drab affair.

The LightSpace prototype projects slides, documents, photographs or video onto any surface, from a table to a door. Presenters … Read more : Microsoft’s LightSpace technology to revolutionise PowerPoint.

How you are primed to become a typical girl or boy since pre-school

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered why wearing pink, having long tresses and keeping a check on your make-up every now and then make people categorise you as a typical girl? Well, now a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has found how gender is created during everyday life at preschool.

The study also shows that stereotypical …. Read the original article  : How you are primed to become a typical girl or boy since pre-school.

Filming embryos could double chances of IVF success

MELBOURNE – A new screening technique can double the chances of IVF success by filming the first 48 hours of an embryo’s development and pinpoints, which embryos will continue to develop healthily.

Scientists from Stanford University, California, used time-lapse photography to observe the length of time taken for the first few cell divisions after fertilisation of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Filming embryos could double chances of IVF success.

Scratched glasses to provide perfect vision for any eyesight

LONDON – A researcher at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel has created the perfect glasses – whose lenses allow you to see clearly regardless of how long or short-sighted you are.

A condition called presbyopia leaves people who are already short-sighted unable to focus on either near or distant objects. Bifocals offer a solution by …. Source article  : Scratched glasses to provide perfect vision for any eyesight.

PETA moots speed guns against trains that kill tuskers

NEW DELHI – Animal welfare NGO PETA has urged Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for use of speed-detection guns to catch train drivers who exceed the speed limit and end up mowing down elephants in the country’s reserves.

The press statement by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) came … Read : PETA moots speed guns against trains that kill tuskers.

Our ancestors were pioneers of colonisation

SYDNEY – Archaeological investigation of campsites up to 50,000 years old in Papua New Guinea gives a glimpse of how highly adaptable humans at the forefront of global colonisation were.

University of Otago anthropologist Prof Glenn Summerhayes and colleagues indicated that as early as 49,000 years ago, groups were regularly moving back and forth …. Original source  : Our ancestors were pioneers of colonisation.