BLADE software eliminates threats of ‘drive-by downloads’ from Internet

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and California-based SRI International have developed a new tool that eliminates drive-by download threats.

Malicious software is spreading faster than ever on the Internet, thanks to insecure Web browsers and the growing number of complex applets and browser plug-in applications.

Some websites are installing malicious code, such as … Read more »»».

Blind use visual brain parts to refine sensation of sound and touch

WASHINGTON – Researchers have indicated that people who have been blind from birth make use of the visual parts of their brain to refine their sensation of sound and touch.

According to an international team of researchers led by neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), this finding helps explain why the blind have such advanced …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Blind use visual brain parts to refine sensation of sound and touch.

How body clock and sleep affect brain connections between night and day

WASHINGTON – Using zebrafish, Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have shown how the circadian clock and sleep affect the scope of neuron-to-neuron connections in a particular region of the brain.

In the new study, the researchers identified a gene that appears to regulate the number of these connections, called synapses.

“This is the first time differences … Original article on : How body clock and sleep affect brain connections between night and day.

NASA’S WMAP project completes study of universe’s oldest light

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) space mission has spent nine years of scanning the sky and has concluded its observations of the cosmic microwave background, the oldest light in the universe.

The spacecraft has not only given scientists their best look at this remnant glow, but also established the scientific model that describes … Original source on Gaea Times at : NASA’S WMAP project completes study of universe’s oldest light.

Bad neighbourhoods can have depressing effect on health

WASHINGTON – People living in bad neighbourhoods have a depressing effect on their health, found two Iowa State University researchers.

Daniel Russell, an Iowa State professor of human development and family studies; and Carolyn Cutrona, professor and chair of psychology, presented their study, which summarised data taken from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS), …. Original source  : Bad neighbourhoods can have depressing effect on health.

Stress of heavy combat can be life-long: Study

WASHINGTON – A new University of Florida study has found that the trauma from hard combat can devastate veterans until old age, even as it influences others to be wiser, gentler and more accepting in their twilight years.

The findings are ominous with the exposure of today’s [..] Read the original article: here.

How iron overload ’speeds up’ Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Scientists have determined how iron contributes to the production of brain-destroying plaques found in Alzheimer’s patients.

The team from Massachusetts General Hospital researchers reports that there is a very close link between elevated levels of iron in the brain and the enhanced production of the amyloid precursor …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : How iron overload ’speeds up’ Alzheimer’s.

Vultures use ‘face flushing’ for instant status updates

WASHINGTON – While humans use social networking sites to instantly update their ’status’, vultures use ‘face flushing’ technique to do the same when interacting with peers and rivals, according to a new research.

The study has reveals how the ability to … Read : Vultures use ‘face flushing’ for instant status updates.

Indian scientists show insoluble drugs can be taken orally in nano crystal form

WASHINGTON – Taking a big leap in how oral medicines are administered, Indian scientists have shown that producing nanoscopic crystals of a pharmaceutical product can allow the medication to be absorbed by the gut even if the drug is not soluble in …. Read the original article  : Indian scientists show insoluble drugs can be taken orally in nano crystal form.

Biggest impact of warming is on life in the tropics

LONDON – New research shows that even though the temperature increase has been smaller in the tropics, the impact of warming on life could be much greater there than in colder climates.

Researchers at the University of Wyoming used nearly 500 million temperature readings from more than 3,000 stations around the world to chart temperature increases … Read : Biggest impact of warming is on life in the tropics.

First clinical trial of gene therapy offers muscular dystrophy clues

LONDON – A clinical trial for gene therapy to replace the genetic defect causing the most common form of muscular dystrophy has revealed that some patients mount an immune response to the dystrophin protein even before they have received the therapy.

Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine found that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mice study shows promise against final stages of terminal cancer

LONDON – A study from the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute in San Francisco has shown promise against the final, metastatic stages of terminal cancer.

Unusually, the antibody targets healthy tissue, not tumour cells, suggesting normal cells play an unwitting role in terminal cancers, reports New Scientist.

By blocking access to the receptor on healthy cells, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mice study shows promise against final stages of terminal cancer.

ESA’s Venus Express explores planet’s poisonous atmosphere

WASHINGTON – ESA’s Venus Express has flown through the upper reaches of Venus’ poisonous atmosphere with an aim of measuring the density of the upper polar atmosphere, an experiment that had never been attempted before at Venus.

The campaign has shown that the atmosphere high above the poles is a surprising 60percent thinner than predicted indicating …. Read the original article  : here.

Loss of cell powerhouses linked to Parkinson’s

LONDON – Scientists have bolstered the link between Parkinson’s disease and the loss of cellular powerhouses called mitochondria after conducting a painstaking analysis of more than 400 brain tissue samples.

If supported by additional studies, the results could warrant clinical trials of existing drugs (currently used to treat other diseases) that activate a key pathway able …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mathura tiger eludes, may be close to Rajasthan border

AGRA – The tiger, now named Mohan, eluded wildlife trackers from three states, two days after it was spotted in Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh where it attacked half a dozen people. Officials believe it may be close to the Rajasthan border.

Forest officials from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, the Ranthambore National Park, Dehradun’s Wild Life … Read more >>>.

Facebook says iPhone app doesn’t leak users’ phone numbers

LONDON – Amid increasing allegations over users’ privacy, Facebook has denied claims that private phone numbers could be seen by anyone thanks to its iPhone app.

Bloggers said that the social networking giant’s iPhone application to ’sync’ information might have … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Facebook says iPhone app doesn’t leak users’ phone numbers.

Novel approach offers new insights into causes of pre-eclampsia

LONDON – Universities of Cambridge and Nottingham have joined hands to come up with a new approach that could offer new insights into the hypertension that frequently blights pregnancy-a condition called pre-eclampsia.

The results, describe the solving of the first step …. Original article  : Novel approach offers new insights into causes of pre-eclampsia.

Facebook introduces new ‘groups’ feature

LONDON – Social networking site Facebook has unveiled a suite of new features that would give people more control over their information and who can see it.

The change will allow users to map their offline life to the online world through small groups.

Users …. Read the original article  : Facebook introduces new ‘groups’ feature.

Soy-based supplement reduces menopausal hot flashes

WASHINGTON – According to a new study, a new women’s health, whole soy germ-based nutritional supplement containing Natural S-equol reduced the frequency of moderate to severe hot flashes and reduced muscle and joint pain in the first study of its kind among postmenopausal women.

S-equol is a compound formed … Read more »».

How visuals signals travel from eye to the brain

LONDON – Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies were able to trace for the first time the neuronal circuitry that connects individual photoreceptors with retinal ganglion cells, the neurons that carry visuals signals from the eye to the brain.

Their measurements … Read more »».