Why geckos have ’superglue’ feet

WASHINGTON – A new study sheds light on why geckos are able to cling on repeatedly to the smoothest surfaces.

Kellar Autumn and his lab at Lewis and Clark College and the University of Washington, USA, began testing gecko grip to find out how increasing humidity helps them hold tight.

The team discovered that self-cleaning microscopic spatula-shaped … Original source on Gaea Times at : Why geckos have ’superglue’ feet.

Scientists discover key difference in ‘kiss of death’ sequence of TB bacteria

LONDON – Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University have discovered a key difference in the way human cells and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB, deliver unwanted proteins – marked with a ‘kiss of death’ sequence – to their respective cellular recycling factories.

“Our research seeks to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists discover key difference in ‘kiss of death’ sequence of TB bacteria.

American Heart Association spells out new guidelines for CPR

WASHINGTON – The American Heart Association has released new guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The association said the A-B-Cs (Airway-Breathing-Compressions) of CPR should now be changed to C-A-B (Compressions-Airway-Breathing).

“For more than 40 years, CPR training has emphasized the ABCs of CPR, which instructed people to open a victim’s airway by tilting their head back, pinching the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How non-migrating grey whales survived the ice age

LONDON – A new study attempts to shed light on how non-migrating grey whales survived the last ice age.

Grey whales feed on the seafloor at depths of up to 50 metres, and rely heavily on the shallow regions in Alaska’s Bering Sea for food.

But when Nick Pyenson of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC modelled …. Source article  : How non-migrating grey whales survived the ice age.

Now, genetic test to predict menopause

LONDON – Women might soon be able to take a genetic test in their twenties that would foresee how long they can delay bearing a child, a new study has suggested.

Researchers have found a group of genes that can indicate when women go through menopause and stop being fertile.

The test, which … Read : Now, genetic test to predict menopause.

Flexible, implantable LEDs could revolutionize drug and laser therapy

LONDON – Bendy, stretchy and biocompatible arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors would soon be used to light inside the body to activate drugs or monitor medical conditions.

John Rogers at the University of Illinois and colleagues used the established semiconductor …. Read the original article  : Flexible, implantable LEDs could revolutionize drug and laser therapy.

Corbett tiger reserve’s Bijrani zone reopens for visitors

DEHRADUN – Authorities in Uttarakhand’s Corbett Tiger Reserve have re-opened the famous Bijrani zone for visitors after a gap of four months, an official said here Monday.

The Bijrani zone generally opens for the visitors from Oct 15 to June 15. But this year, the opening was delayed by two days due to ongoing repair …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Light-smelling’ mice may explain how we distinguish between scents

LONDON – Harvard University neurobiologists have created mice that can ’smell’ light, a study that could help researchers better understand the neural basis of olfaction.

Venkatesh N. Murthy and his colleagues at Harvard and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory used light, applying the infant … Read more >>>.

Stem cell jab could spell the end for hip replacement surgeries

LONDON – The day is not far when painful hip and knee replacement surgeries would be history, for British scientists are developing a treatment wherein damaged joints could be rejuvenated by injections of stem cells.

The technique, which is being … Original article on : Stem cell jab could spell the end for hip replacement surgeries.

Bright, sunny day in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A bright morning and clear sky greeted the Delhiites Monday as schools and colleges reopened after a 14-day break following the Commonwealth Games.

“It would be a sunny day. Humidity is expected to be moderate,” said an official at the India Meteorological Department.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 23.5 degree …. Read the original article  : here.

Why coffee puts you in a good mood and chocolate makes you feel high

NEW YORK – Do you crave for a cup of coffee early in the morning? And a chocolate bar makes you feel good when you feel low? Now a study from Ohio University tells you why certain foods affect your moods.

Just like alcohol or drugs, food and spices can excite, calm … Original article on : Why coffee puts you in a good mood and chocolate makes you feel high.

Blood-sucking vampire therapy ‘could improve our wellbeing’

LONDON – Having your blood sucked out under ultraviolet light, then pumped back into your body sounds like a scene right out of a horror flick, but some say it could work miracles.

Blood cleansing, the latest health-boosting treatment, claims to not only …. Original article  : Blood-sucking vampire therapy ‘could improve our wellbeing’.

Scientists discover key genetic trigger of depression

LONDON – Yale researchers have discovered a gene that seems to play a major role in triggering depression.

“This could be a primary cause, or at least a major contributing factor, to the signaling abnormalities that lead to depression,” Nature quoted Ronald S. Duman, professor of … Read more >>>.

Vitamin A pill ‘can prevent old-age related blindness in millions’

LONDON – A new study has revealed that a drug based on vitamin A could prevent millions from going blind as they get older.

Researchers found that the drug fenretinide, found it halted the advance of age-related macular degeneration, for which there is currently no cure.

The condition called … Read more >>>.

Fugitive tiger returns to Rajasthan

AGRA – A male tiger which attacked dozens of villagers in Uttar Pradesh after straying from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park has returned to its home state and is reportedly taking shelter near a bird sanctuary, a forest official said Sunday.

It was a nightmare for the wildlife trackers in Mathura and Agra after the …. Original source  : Fugitive tiger returns to Rajasthan.

New procedure repairs torn knee cartilage faster

LONDON – A newly-developed procedure to repair torn knee cartilage can significantly reduce the recuperating time for patients, who face months of painful rehabilitation after surgery.

The Ultra Fast-Fix Meniscal Repair Device allows a torn cartilage to be stitched back into place, instead of the normal procedure of cutting away damaged tissue, which takes months [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, a compact camera that photographs in 3D

LONDON – A compact camera which takes 3D pictures that can be seen without wearing glasses is now available.

Fujifilm’s W3 offers a first chance to see your own head in 3D, without the use of medical scanners, transcendental meditation or, most importantly, 3D glasses.
The screen on the Fujifilm W3 shows your …. Original source  : Now, a compact camera that photographs in 3D.

Cell phone radiation linked to cancer, memory loss, sterility

WASHINGTON – Cellphones-a basic necessity to us like water, food-emit radiation that is harmful for us, a new book has suggested.

In her new book, ‘Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family,’ Devra Davis, an environmental health has probed why cell phone …. Original source  : Cell phone radiation linked to cancer, memory loss, sterility.

Gene variants ‘raise risk of childhood obesity’

WASHINGTON – Genes have a strong influence on childhood obesity, according to a new study by pediatric researchers.

The study team searched across the whole genomes of thousands of obese children for copy number variations (CNVs)–deletions or duplications of DNA sequences.

Although the CNVs they found are rare within the population, their data suggest that those … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gene variants ‘raise risk of childhood obesity’.

‘No scientific evidence’ of gay youth suicide epidemic

WASHINGTON – Ritch Savin-Williams, professor of developmental psychology and director of Cornell University’s Sex and Gender Lab, has said that there is absolutely no scientific evidence of an ‘epidemic of gay youth suicide,’ or even that gay youth kill themselves more frequently than do straight youth.

Savin-Williams said, “It is important to point out … Read more : ‘No scientific evidence’ of gay youth suicide epidemic.