Drought may threaten much of globe in coming decades

WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that United States, along with other heavily populated countries, face a growing threat of severe and prolonged drought in coming decades.

The research, conducted by National Center for Atmospheric Research …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Drought may threaten much of globe in coming decades.

Why some people feel tipsier than others just after a few drinks

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a gene variant that is associated with a person’s response to alcohol and may help protect one against alcoholism.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine found a gene variant called CYP2E1 and for the ten to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why some people feel tipsier than others just after a few drinks.

New study brings cure for Parkinson’s disease a step closer

WASHINGTON – Researchers have shed new light on Parkinson’s disease, which could help with the development of cures or treatments in the future.

The collaboration, led by Professor Peter Redgrave from the University of Sheffield4s Department of Psychology, suggests that many of … Original source on Gaea Times at : New study brings cure for Parkinson’s disease a step closer.

Long-term air pollution exposure ‘ups risk of severe COPD’

WASHINGTON – Researchers in Denmark say that long-term exposure to low-level air pollution may increase the risk of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“We found significant positive associations between levels of all air pollution proxies and COPD incidence,” said Dr. Zorana Andersen, lead researcher on the study.

Dr. Andersen, and colleagues used data from the … Original article on : Long-term air pollution exposure ‘ups risk of severe COPD’.

Fetal alcohol exposure linked to a decrease in cognitive performance

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that exposure to alcohol as a fetus causes difficulties in memory and information processing in children.

The findings indicate that visual perception, control of attention and demand processing may be involved in fetal alcohol-related learning problems.

It has been known for many years that drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause … Read more >>>.

How leptin therapy improves type 1 diabetes

WASHINGTON – A novel role for the brain in mediating beneficial actions of the hormone leptin in type 1 diabetes has been found by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers.

“Our findings really pave the way for understanding the mechanism by which leptin therapy improves type 1 diabetes,” said Dr. Roberto Coppari, assistant professor of internal medicine …. Source  : How leptin therapy improves type 1 diabetes.

Study reveals why the leopard got its spots

WASHINGTON – Scientists have claimed that Rudyard Kipling was right when he came up with an answer to – why leopards have rosette shaped markings but tigers have stripes.

He suggested that it was because the leopard moved to an environment “full of trees and bushes and stripy, speckly, patchy-blatchy shadows.”

Now, researchers at the University of … Read : Study reveals why the leopard got its spots.

Scenes of nature ‘cut cancer patients’ pain’

LONDON – Experts has suggested that showing relaxing pictures of idyllic scenes and playing out relaxing sounds at a cancer patient’s bed can reduce the feeling of pain.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States set up a series of tests analysing patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) – known to be …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Now, hairbrush that reads your mind

WASHINGTON – Who says hairbrush can only be used to comb locks? Scientists have made a hairbrush like device that would be able to monitor mental activity.

One of the main techniques for measuring and monitoring mental activity, called functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), can often be impaired because a person’s hair gets in the way.

But, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, hairbrush that reads your mind.

Google Street Viewers spot ‘God’ floating over lake in Swiss skies!

SYDNEY – Google Street View has spotted a god-like figure floating midair above a lake in Quarten, Switzerland.

Although the image, discovered by the Gawker blog, is apparently the result of some sort of light distortion or lens flare, blogger Max Read has questioned whether it might have more mysterious origins, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Is …. Original source  : Google Street Viewers spot ‘God’ floating over lake in Swiss skies!.

Dogs reduce stress in autistic children: Study

WASHINGTON – Dogs-apart from being man’s best friend-have a special role to play in the lives of children with special needs.

A new study by the Universite de Montreal has suggested that specifically trained service dogs can help reduce the anxiety and enhance the socialization skills of children with Autism Syndrome Disorders (ASDs).

“Our findings showed that …. Read the original article  : here.

How sex hormones influence right heart function

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed human sex hormones influence the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart.

The researchers found that in women receiving hormone therapy, higher estrogen levels were associated with higher RV ejection fraction and lower RV end-systolic volume – both measures of the RV’s blood-pumping efficiency – …. Source  : How sex hormones influence right heart function.

Even turtles and wasps need a little play time

WASHINGTON – Watching kids and dogs play is not an alien sight. However, what about a turtle or even a wasp? Well, it seems they play, too.

Gordon Burghardt, a psychology professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has discovered that many animals-not just dogs, cats, and monkeys-need a little play time.

“I studied the behavior of …. Original article  : Even turtles and wasps need a little play time.

Low testosterone ‘may raise risk of early death’

WASHINGTON – A new research has linked low testosterone levels to a heightened risk of premature death from heart disease and all causes.

The finding refutes received wisdom that the hormone is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Researchers base their findings on 930 men, all of whom had coronary artery heart disease, and had been referred …. Source article  : Low testosterone ‘may raise risk of early death’.

Icebergs bombed by asteroids 600mn-yrs-ago ‘created early life’

WASHINGTON – University of Adelaide researchers have found evidence of ancient icebergs mixed in with volcanic rocks, which were spewed out when an asteroid hit the Earth between 635-542 million years ago.

The discovery of blocks of gravel, which sank to the bottom of the sea trapped in ancient icebergs, has sparked a new understanding of … Read more : Icebergs bombed by asteroids 600mn-yrs-ago ‘created early life’.

‘Neanderthals shopped at stone-age Tiffany’s’ theory debunked

LONDON – In 1959 in the Grotte du Renne in central France, archaeologists found a wide range of ornaments and tools, indicating the existence of a stone-age Tiffany’s, but a new study has disproved that theory.

University of Oxford researchers have shown that the artefacts were jumbled up with Neanderthal teeth, suggesting that the Neanderthals made …. Source article  : ‘Neanderthals shopped at stone-age Tiffany’s’ theory debunked.

Laser surgery for long-sightedness to make specs history

LONDON – Conventionally, laser surgery tackles shortsightedness, but doctors are now using laser treatment to restore 20/20 vision in those suffering from long-sightedness too.

By the age of 50, most adults find they can’t read a menu, book or newspaper without holding it at arm’s length.

The deterioration results from the stiffening of the eye’s lens, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Laser surgery for long-sightedness to make specs history.

Elusive green comet Hartley 2 will be visible today

WASHINGTON – Hartley 2, the comet that was discovered in 1986 by Australian astronomer Malcolm Hartley, has been shrouded in mystery for a very long time, but today it will make its closest pass, offering prime viewing via binoculars and telescopes.

Hartley 2 will be passing the brilliant star Capella in the constellation Auriga, making the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Elusive green comet Hartley 2 will be visible today.

New fluorescent light surface may kill MRSA

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of New Mexico are working on a new type of antimicrobial surface which, equipped with fluorescent lights, would be able to fight off prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.

The new polymer-type material, “conjugated polyelectrolyte” (CPE) with an arylene-ethynylene repeat-unit structure, has been effective at killing Gram-negative bacteria, enabling …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

It’s official! Booze impairs decision-making

WASHINGTON – It is well known that alcohol alters behaviour, but surprisingly it is not well studied at the brain level. However, a new research shows that certain areas in the brain associated with error processing are significantly affected by the effects of alcohol.

According to Beth Anderson, a postdoctoral fellow at the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research …. Source  : It’s official! Booze impairs decision-making.