Hair straightening agents could be cancerous health hazards

WASHINGTON – A public alert has been issued over concerns raised by Portland-area hair salons about a product used for hair straightening, which could have negative health impacts.

Oregon Health and Science University’s Centre for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET) has issued two public alerts describing its findings on the health impacts … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hair straightening agents could be cancerous health hazards.

Genital herpes vaccine ineffective in women: Study

WASHINGTON – An experimental vaccine intended to protect women against genital herpes disease proved ineffective in a recent study.

A total of 8,323 women aged 18-30 years participated in the trial at 50 sites in the United States and Canada.

At the time of their enrollment, the study participants were free of the two types … Original source on Gaea Times at : Genital herpes vaccine ineffective in women: Study.

New TB pathogen discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a new tuberculosis (TB) species in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, a group of pathogens that have adapted by using mammals as hosts.

It has been nearly two decades since a new organism was identified in this group; the majority were discovered in the early and mid 20th century.

Kathleen Alexander of the … Read more : New TB pathogen discovered.

Genes of major disease-causing mosquito decoded

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers examined genes that are turned on during infection in a type of mosquito that is not only a pest, but transmits disease-causing pathogens.

Iowa State University researcher Lyric Bartholomay along with colleagues from around the world infected the common southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) with various pathogens to … Read more : Genes of major disease-causing mosquito decoded.

Clues to how bacteria and viruses are identified as enemies revealed

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed how our immune systems detect invading organisms to be destroyed and removed from our bodies.

The should ultimately help lead to the development of new drugs and treatments that allow health care providers to prevent runaway immune reactions that can have devastating consequences for people.

“Our study helps us …. Source  : Clues to how bacteria and viruses are identified as enemies revealed.

Sounds of history ‘in grave danger of disappearing’, say US experts

LONDON – Sound recordings which form a part of our cultural history are at the peril of disappearing, warns a comprehensive report from the US Library of Congress.

The report has warned of both the physical and legal barriers to the preservation of sound recordings old and new.

The report has also said that no comprehensive programme … Read more >>.

New brain research could lead to schizophrenia treatment

WASHINGTON – New research has revealed that two neurotransmitters-dopamine and glutamate-are abnormal in people with psychotic illness, including schizophrenia.

Among many other things, these chemicals play a role in cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and problem solving.

James Stone and colleagues studied people with sub-threshold psychotic symptoms, who were at very high risk of undergoing transition … Read more >>.

Pharma companies ‘medicalising’ low-libido to boost sales of female ‘Viagra’

WASHINGTON – Drug companies are ‘medicalising’ sexual difficulty among women- such as low libido and discomfort- and have actually constructed a new condition known as female sexual dysfunction, in order to build global markets for new ‘Viagra’ like drugs for the ladies, says an expert.

Researching his new book ‘Sex, Lies and Pharmaceuticals’ Ray Moynihan, journalist … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pharma companies ‘medicalising’ low-libido to boost sales of female ‘Viagra’.

Scientist wins solar probe instrument award, place on solar mission

WASHINGTON – An astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and his science team have secured a proposal award of 8.2 million dollars to help build parts for and test an instrument for the Solar Probe Plus flagship mission to directly sample the Sun’s atmosphere.

“This is the equivalent of a Hubble-class mission … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scientist wins solar probe instrument award, place on solar mission.

Scientists discover protein that reduces blood pressure

WASHINGTON – A new research has indicated that our bodies produce a protein that lowers blood pressure.

Increasing the level of the P450 protein causes the creation of molecules called EETs, which lower blood pressure, according to Craig R. Lee at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover protein that reduces blood pressure.

Molecular on-off switches for cancer and autoimmunity defined

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the Institute for Advanced Studies in New Jersey are examining how oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes handle cellular stress, and said that each of these opposing systems could be potent drug targets in the effort to stop cancer.

In addition, their hypothesis provides new insights into what contributes to immunological disorders such …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Molecular on-off switches for cancer and autoimmunity defined.

Latest advances in treating stroke, Parkinson’s detailed in Neurology Journal

WASHINGTON – A special issue of the journal Neurologic Clinics enlists the latest advances in treating neurologic disorders such as stroke, headache, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and sleep disorders.

“Great therapeutic strides in the clinical neurosciences have been made in the past decades,” wrote guest editor Dr. Jose Biller, chairman of the Department of Neurology at Loyola …. Read the original article  : Latest advances in treating stroke, Parkinson’s detailed in Neurology Journal.

Graphene becomes fastest-spinning object with record 60m rpm

LONDON – Graphene flakes have created a record by spinning faster than any other object-at a clip of 60 million rotations per minute.

Graphene has shown a suite of novel properties, including incredible strength.

Bruce Kane at the University of Maryland in College Park sprayed charged graphene flakes a micrometre wide into a vacuum chamber.

Once … Read more : Graphene becomes fastest-spinning object with record 60m rpm.

Spotlight on Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to make astronomy popular

NEW DELHI – When Sawai Jai Singh of Rajasthan built the Jantar Mantar, the 18th century astronomical monument, he wanted to facilitate naked eye observation to make science of astronomy accessible to as many people as possible, says veteran architect and conservationist Anisha Shekhar Mukherji.

When Jai Singh built the first Jantar Mantar in New … Original source on Gaea Times at : Spotlight on Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to make astronomy popular.

New way to turn waste heat into power could make cars, factories more efficient

WASHINGTON – Cashing on quantum physics, University of Arizona physicists have discovered a new way of harvesting waste heat and turning it into electrical power-a feat that holds promise for making cars, power plants, factories and solar panels more efficient.

Using a theoretical model of a so-called molecular thermoelectric device, the technology holds great promise for … Original article on : New way to turn waste heat into power could make cars, factories more efficient.

‘Knot’ in ribbon at solar system’s edge ‘unties’

WASHINGTON – Maps produced by NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft has revealed that the unusual “knot” in the bright, narrow ribbon of neutral atoms emanating from the boundary between our solar system and interstellar space have “untied”.

Researchers believe the ribbon forms in response to interactions between interstellar space and the heliosphere, the protective bubble …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Knot’ in ribbon at solar system’s edge ‘unties’.

How salmonella bacteria spread in humans

WASHINGTON – How salmonella bacteria, a common cause of food poisoning, efficiently spread in people has been explained by National Institutes of Health scientists.

In a study researchers describe finding a reservoir of rapidly replicating Salmonella inside epithelial cells. These bacteria are primed to infect other cells and are pushed from the epithelial layer by a … Read more : How salmonella bacteria spread in humans.

No need to wait until age 50 for breast cancer screening: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that annual mammography screening of women in their 40s reduces the breast cancer death rate in these women by nearly 30 percent.

The results of this largest study ever conducted on women in this age group confirm that the use of the age of 50 as a threshold …. Original source  : No need to wait until age 50 for breast cancer screening: Study.

Faith in God improves survival after liver transplantation

WASHINGTON – Faith in God is associated with improved survival after liver transplantation, according to Italian researchers.

This study also finds that religiosity-regardless of cause of death-prolongs the life span of individuals who underwent liver transplantation.

“Our study tested the hypothesis that religiosity-seeking God’s help, having faith in God, trusting in God, trying to discern God’s will … Read more >>.

Pet dogs ‘can prevent eczema in children’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that kids with dog allergies are less likely to develop eczema by age four if they own a dog.

However, cat ownership may increase the risk among children with cat allergies.

Tolly Epstein and colleagues of the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center gathered data from 636 …. Read the original article  : Pet dogs ‘can prevent eczema in children’.

Increased use of Computer-aided detection in mammography

WASHINGTON – Computer-aided detection (CAD) is increasingly being used in both screening and diagnostic mammography, according to a study.

CAD software systems highlight and alert the radiologist of abnormal areas of density, mass or calcification on a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Increased use of Computer-aided detection in mammography.

How growth hormone can promote muscle growth

WASHINGTON – Growth hormone is not only used for children’s growth disorders, but is also being used by some sports men and women to promote muscle growth and regeneration.

This is because it coordinates skeletal muscle development, nutrient uptake, and nutrient utilization.

However, …. Read the original article  : How growth hormone can promote muscle growth.

Gliese 581g Discovery Makes Scientists Shaken

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- The discovery of the new planet which is around 20 light year far in the universe from our solar system has created a stir among the astronomers and scientists. The discoverers have claimed that the new found planet has many similarities with planet earth. The planet was traced by a team …. Source  : Gliese 581g Discovery Makes Scientists Shaken.

Our real-partners are poles apart from our ideal mates

WASHINGTON – You might have given a whole lot of thought about your ideal partner, but according to researchers, our image of the perfect mate is drastically different from our real-life partners.

The study by researchers at the University of Sheffield and the University of Montpellier … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Our real-partners are poles apart from our ideal mates.

Get into the beet: Studies say beetroot juice could help athletes exercise longer

Beet it: To exercise longer, try beetroot juice

LONDON – When Chris Carver ran an ultra-marathon in Scotland last year, which challenges athletes to run as far as possible within 24 hours, he ran 140 miles (225 kilometers).
Determined to do better in this year’s race, Carver added something extra to his training regime: beetroot juice. For …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Women can escape heart disease, if they are regular to dentist

WASHINGTON – Women, who pay regular visits to dentist, can curb their visits to cardiac surgeon, as a new study states that if a woman takes proper dental care, she’s at reduced risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problem by at least one-third.

The analysis compared people who went to the dentist during the previous …. Original source  : Women can escape heart disease, if they are regular to dentist.

Genetically altered trees could reduce global warming

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that forests of genetically altered flora could sequester several billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year and thus, could help reduce global warming.

The study outlined a variety of strategies for augmenting the processes that plants use to sequester carbon dioxide from the air and convert it … Original source on Gaea Times at : Genetically altered trees could reduce global warming.

Siblings of autistic children ‘have more frequent language delays’

WASHINGTON – A new study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has revealed that siblings of autistic children have more frequent language delays.

“Researchers presume one child is affected, and the other is not, but our findings suggest that although one child may have autism while the other does not, it’s very possible …. Original source  : Siblings of autistic children ‘have more frequent language delays’.

Low socioeconomic status linked to severe colorectal cancer

WASHINGTON – People living in economically deprived neighbourhoods were more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage, non-localized colorectal cancer, according to a new study at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

“Community clinical practitioners should be encouraged to understand the neighbourhood characteristics of their patients and use that information to guide their encounters with patients, to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Low socioeconomic status linked to severe colorectal cancer.

Grunting during tennis leads to ’slower response, more decision errors’

WASHINGTON – A researcher at University of Hawaii at Manoa has found that when players grunt with every tennis shot, it slows down their responses and causes them to make more decision errors.

Scott Sinnett, assistant psychology professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, found the potential detrimental effect that noise has on shot perception …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Grunting during tennis leads to ’slower response, more decision errors’.

Lifestyle intervention program cuts risk of type 2 diabetes

WASHINGTON – Four-year results of the Look AHEAD study have shown that an intensive lifestyle intervention program designed to achieve and maintain weight loss improves diabetes control and cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) is a multi-center, randomized clinical trial investigating … Original source on Gaea Times at : Lifestyle intervention program cuts risk of type 2 diabetes.

Nepal hopes to win rat race

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s scientists say they have found a remedy to curb one of the biggest menaces to crops that could lead to farmers harvesting 40 percent more than their current produce.

The Nepal Agricultural Research Society (NARC) has successfully completed experiments on rats, one of the biggest destroyers of crops, by inventing a pellet … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Nepal hopes to win rat race.

Gene variations that alter key enzyme linked to prostate cancer

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that variations in a gene for an enzyme involved in cell energy metabolism is likely to increase the risk for prostate cancer.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that the genetic variations impair the enzyme …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gene variations that alter key enzyme linked to prostate cancer.

New bacterial foe in cystic fibrosis identified

WASHINGTON – Measuring the health status of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients would now get easier as researchers have found that exacerbations in CF are linked to chronic infection with a bacterium called Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

The finding that chronic infection with S. maltophilia … Original source on Gaea Times at : New bacterial foe in cystic fibrosis identified.

Excess of protein used as anti-cancer drug triggers Parkinson’s disease

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that over-activation of a single protein may shut down the brain-protecting effects of a molecule and increases the likeliness of the most common form of Parkinson’s disease.

Johns Hopkins scientists found this mechanism that may lead to important new …. Source  : Excess of protein used as anti-cancer drug triggers Parkinson’s disease.

Saturated fat not as bad as previously thought

WASHINGTON – If you think saturated fat is responsible for cardiovascular disease (CVD), you need a reality check-new evidence has shown that saturated fat intake has a very limited impact on CVD risk.

World-renowned scientists specializing in fat research analysed the evidence between saturated fat intake …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Saturated fat not as bad as previously thought.

Adult stem cells that do not age created

WASHINGTON – University at Buffalo researchers have engineered adult stem cells that do not age, which means that scientists can grow them continuously in culture.

The discovery could speed development of cost-effective treatments for diseases including heart disease, diabetes, immune disorders …. Original source  : Adult stem cells that do not age created.

Why we like the hues we do

WASHINGTON – Why do you end up buying almost every shirt in blue? Or why does the iPod in silver look better to you than other colours? Scientists say that how we feel about a colour depends on our relationship with that particular shade.

The findings …. Original article  : Why we like the hues we do.

‘Move it or lose it’ ultimatum for species conservation

WASHINGTON – Experts have said that climate change is forcing a ‘move it or lose it’ approach to species conservation.

Managed relocation (MR) is literally the physical relocation of endangered or threatened species of plants and animals, by humans, to new, and foreign geographical climes.

And while conservationists argue that the practice may not preserve some species, … Original article on : ‘Move it or lose it’ ultimatum for species conservation.

Photoscreening ‘could detect lazy eye in children’

WASHINGTON – A new study is examining the use of photoscreening to detect amblyopia, or ‘lazy eye’ in children aged 6 months to 6 years.

Amblyopia, known as “lazy eye,” is a major cause of vision problems in children and a common cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 70 in developed countries.

Experts at University … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Photoscreening ‘could detect lazy eye in children’.

Mission to search for alien life on outer fringes of Earth’s atmosphere

LONDON – Life from outer space could be surviving on the outer fringes of the Earth’s atmosphere, in the form of bacteria, scientists have revealed.

Scientists, who are set to launch a mission to search for bacteria that could be living there, …. Read the original article  : Mission to search for alien life on outer fringes of Earth’s atmosphere.

Facebook ‘frenemies’ most likely to hurt kids as young as 8

SYDNEY – Children as young as eight are more likely to fall prey to cyber bullies and online predators, as they are flouting Facebook website age restrictions, police and teachers have warned.

Peer group pressure is forcing increasing numbers of primary school-aged children to sign up … Read : Facebook ‘frenemies’ most likely to hurt kids as young as 8.

Coming soon: ‘Smart cane’ that will help the blind ’see’

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, are testing a next generation “smart” cane, which provides detail and dimension to enable the sightless to navigate in a physical environment.

“There are no devices available that assist blind travellers in the way … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Coming soon: ‘Smart cane’ that will help the blind ’see’.

Why women like to cuddle after sex and men don’t

WASHINGTON – While it has always been known that women like to cuddle after sex and men would rather have a fag or a drink-scientists have now found the reason behind it.

A new study on the after-sex behaviours has suggested that women were more likely than men … Read more : Why women like to cuddle after sex and men don’t.

3D now conquering gaming laptops too

BERLIN – Right in the thick of it: It’s a feeling craved by more than just movie fans watching the latest 3D flick. Gamers joined the ranks of 3D adventurers some time ago. The new wrinkle is that the 3D action can now be enjoyed on the go, using laptops instead of a home PC.

… Read more : 3D now conquering gaming laptops too.

Bright, clear morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – It was a bright morning with clear skies in Delhi Sunday, the day the Commonwealth Games begin. The weatherman forecast a dry spell in the coming days.

“No rainfall was recorded from any part in the city. There are no chances of rainfall Sunday or in the coming days. The skies are … Original article on : Bright, clear morning in Delhi.

Obama lauds efforts on clean energy projects; GOP bemoans maxing out ‘national credit card’

Obama promotes clean energy; GOP hits Dem spending

WASHINGTON – Wind, solar and other clean energy technologies produce jobs and are essential for the country’s environment and economy, President Barack Obama said in promoting his administration’s efforts.
The president used his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday, a month away from congressional elections, to charge Republicans with …. Original article  : Obama lauds efforts on clean energy projects; GOP bemoans maxing out ‘national credit card’.

Solar ‘charkhas’ to produce ‘green clothes’

MUMBAI – The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is finalising a project to introduce solar “charkhas” (spinning wheels) across the country and produce “green clothes”, a top official said here Saturday.

A prototype of a solar “charkha” has been developed and is undergoing field trials by the KVIC in collaboration with the Gandhigram Urja …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Week-long activities to mark World Space Week

NEW DELHI – Skywatches, painting, quiz competitions, activities and workshops are planned round the week to celebrate the World Space Week (WSW) 2010 Oct 4-10.

Astronomicans, the amateur wing of the Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) will be hosting an event each day during the week to bring astronomy to the [..] Read the original article: here.

Bright day, no rain forecast for Games opening

NEW DELHI – It will be a bright and clear sky with no chance of rain when the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games takes place in the capital Sunday, the weather office forecast Saturday.

The national capital, which saw record breaking rains this monsoon, got respite with sunny days last week, with the met …. Source  : Bright day, no rain forecast for Games opening.

Shimla declared smoke-free city

SHIMLA – Shimla was officially declared a smoke-free city Saturday, with the Queen of Hills having rid itself of the puff in public places.

On the pattern of Chandigarh, Shimla has also been declared a smoke-free city, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said.
Smoking in public places has been banned with the implementation of … Original article on : Shimla declared smoke-free city.

AP Interview: Contador calls on samples to be frozen until technology proves he won Tour clean

AP Interview: Contador wants samples to be frozen

PINTO, Spain – Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador challenged cycling authorities on Saturday to freeze his urine and blood samples until technology can show he rode clean in this year’s race and disprove his positive test for clenbuterol.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Contador stuck …. Read the original article  : AP Interview: Contador calls on samples to be frozen until technology proves he won Tour clean.

Obama promotes investments in clean energy; GOP calls for extending Bush tax cuts

Obama promotes technology; GOP calls for tax cuts

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is promoting his administration’s investments in clean energy technologies like wind and solar, arguing they produce jobs and are essential for the country’s environment and economic security.
In his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday, a month out from crucial midterm elections, the president … Read more : Obama promotes investments in clean energy; GOP calls for extending Bush tax cuts.

People with cancer history prone to memory impairment

WASHINGTON – A new large-scale research has proved that people who have had cancer are 40 percent more vulnerable to experience memory problems that interfere with daily functioning than those who didn’t have the disease.

The finding is believed to be one of the first derived from a nationwide sample [..] Read the original article: here.

Obama promotes investments in clean-energy technology he says will produce jobs for the future

Obama promotes clean-energy technology
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is promoting his administration’s investments in clean energy technologies like wind and solar, arguing they produce jobs and are essential for the country’s environment and economic security.

In his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday, a month out from crucial midterm elections, the president also accused Republicans of …. Source  : Obama promotes investments in clean-energy technology he says will produce jobs for the future.

How Jurassic predators evolved into mega meat-eaters

WASHINGTON – New findings have shed light on how adaptations for a mega meat-eating lifestyle extended to some full-time water dwellers as well as to certain land-based animals, like dinosaurs.

The study focused on three metriorhynchids from …. Source article  : How Jurassic predators evolved into mega meat-eaters.

Oz scientists make breast cancer breakthrough with protein discovery

NEW DELHI – Making a huge breakthrough in potential breast cancer treatment, Australia’s Brisbane-based researchers have found that the concentration of a protein that moves calcium into a specific area of the cell was higher in many breast cancers.

Published on Saturday, scientists at … Original article on : Oz scientists make breast cancer breakthrough with protein discovery.

How genetic changes make some brain cancers more aggressive

WASHINGTON – A study has provided new insight into genetic changes that make some forms of glioblastoma, the most common type of primary brain cancer, more aggressive than others and have explained why they may not respond to certain therapies.

A multi-institutional team led by investigators from … Read more »».

Way to turn off immune system’s allergic reaction discovered

LONDON – Scientists have found a way to turn off the immune system’s allergic reaction to certain food proteins in mice- a discovery that could have implications for the millions of people who suffer severe reactions to foods, such as peanuts and milk, has been discovered by Johns Hopkins … Read : Way to turn off immune system’s allergic reaction discovered.

Evidence of tiger presence in Goa: Official

PANAJI – There is good news on the tiger conservation front. A top forest department official has confirmed the presence of tigers in the forests of Goa.

Additional principal chief conservator of forests Shashi Kumar said the department had indirect evidence of tiger presence in the four wildlife sanctuaries which ring the hinterland of … Read more »»».

Putting laptop on lap for long can cause ‘toasted skin syndrome’

LONDON – Resting your laptop on the lap might not be a good thing for your skin, for it might just leave you with a condition called ‘toasted skin syndrome’, warned researchers.

A medical report has found that placing the devices next to skin for long periods of time can lead to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Putting laptop on lap for long can cause ‘toasted skin syndrome’.

750,000 undiscovered species beneath the waves: study

LONDON – In a decade long first census of marine life, it has been revealed that the world’s oceans are teeming with far greater diversity of life than was previously thought.

The report has revealed that almost 250,000 have now been identified, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 750,000 undiscovered species beneath the waves: study.

New ’stretchy’ technique generates 3 times more stem cells than usual

LONDON – A new technique discovered at the Centenary Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney allows researchers to generate up to three times more stem cells than using current methods alone.

One of the major challenges in stem cell transplants is how to obtain …. Source  : New ’stretchy’ technique generates 3 times more stem cells than usual.

Report: British scientist who developed test tube fertilization could win Nobel Prize

Report: Test tube scientist could win Nobel Prize

STOCKHOLM – A Swedish newspaper says a British researcher who developed test-tube fertilization and gave thousands of infertile couples the chance to have children could receive the Nobel Prize in medicine.
Citing unnamed sources, daily Svenska Dagbladet said that Robert Edwards is the “hottest” candidate to receive the 10 …. Read the original article  : Report: British scientist who developed test tube fertilization could win Nobel Prize.

Half of women don’t check their breasts for cancer

LONDON – Almost fifty percent of women do not check their breasts for signs of cancer, claims a new survey.

Amongst the participants, one in four said they just forgot to check.

Thirteen per cent insisted they didn’t think it necessary, 18 per cent said they were unaware of the need and 15 …. Original source  : Half of women don’t check their breasts for cancer.

Romans too recycled glass: study

LONDON – Apart from being pro at making beautiful vessels, ornaments and plates from glass, Romans were also good at recycling the stuff, just like we do today.

A new study has found that towards the end of their rule in Britain, the Romans were recycling vast amounts of glass.

However, the researchers believe that this probably …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Romans too recycled glass: study.

New research could ‘protect newborn babies from HIV infection’

LONDON – A new research at Oregon Health and Science University may have uncovered a new weapon for combating HIV as it is passed from mother to newborn child.

“Mother-to-infant transmission of HIV is a tremendous worldwide problem, especially in several African nations,” Nature quoted Nancy Haigwood, researcher and director of the Oregon National Primate …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New research could ‘protect newborn babies from HIV infection’.

Now, biodegradable tents that perish when the party is over

WASHINGTON – A tent that would perish naturally after the party fun is over and doesn’t take a toll on your pocket, has now become a reality.

Vanessa Harden, a Canadian designer from the UK has been busy working on prototypes for a biodegradable tent that would be cheaper than the most affordable tents on the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Now, biodegradable tents that perish when the party is over.

Tiger kills young man in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A tiger killed a 20-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, officials said Monday.

Jagmohan, a resident of Naibasti Tedia, about 250 km from here, was mauled by the tiger in the Katarniaghat forest reserve late Sunday. He died while being taken to a hospital.
“According to reports, Jagmohan entered the jungles of …. Source article  : Tiger kills young man in Uttar Pradesh.

Climate change talks in China seek to narrow gap before year-end Cancun summit

Climate change talks open in China
TIANJIN, China – The U.N. climate chief urged countries Monday to identify achievable goals for fighting climate change ahead of a year-end meeting in Mexico, after last year’s Copenhagen summit failed to produce binding limits on greenhouse gas.

Christiana Figueres told 3,000 delegates at the opening of a six-day conference in … Read : Climate change talks in China seek to narrow gap before year-end Cancun summit.

Clear skies in Delhi as Games get underway

NEW DELHI – The skies will remain bright and clear in Delhi with no chance of rain Monday, the first day of the Commonwealth Games competitions, a weather official said.

“No rainfall was recorded from any part in the city. There are no chances of rainfall today (Monday) or in the coming days. The … Original article on : Clear skies in Delhi as Games get underway.

Statue of Tutankhamun’s grandfather found

Cairo, Oct 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Egyptian archaeologists have found a 3,000-year-old statue of Amenhotep III, believed to be the grandfather of famous boy pharaoh Tutankhamun.

“The find is fantastic… because of the details of the facial features,” Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities Secretary General Zahi Hawass said.
Scientists had been excavating Amenhotep III funerary temple …. Source article  : Statue of Tutankhamun’s grandfather found.

Western lawmakers turn sights on endangered wolves after courts block public hunts

Western lawmakers turn sights on endangered wolves

BILLINGS, Mont. – Two decades after the federal government spent a half-million dollars to study the reintroduction of gray wolves to the Northern Rockies, lawmakers say it’s time for Congress to step in again – this time to clamp down on the endangered animals.
To do so they are proposing … Read more : Western lawmakers turn sights on endangered wolves after courts block public hunts.

Mobile phone remote that can be worn on the wrist

LONDON – Sony Ericsson has launched a new watch-sized device that enables you control your smartphone remotely, without taking it out of your bag.

The tiny gadget can be worn as a watch, on a keychain or clipped to a laptop, the firm claims.
The LiveView micro display is designed to sync wirelessly …. Original source  : Mobile phone remote that can be worn on the wrist.

Searching alien life in outer atmosphere

LONDON – Life from outer space could be surviving on the fringes of our planet’s atmosphere.

British scientists, working with the European Space Agency, will this week launch a balloon carrying instruments to search the stratosphere for bugs and other microorganisms.
They believe there could be species capable of surviving in the high … Original article on : Searching alien life in outer atmosphere.

Japanese stem cell pioneer among possible candidates for Monday’s Nobel Prize in medicine

Stem cell pioneer mentioned for Nobel Prize

STOCKHOLM – A Japanese researcher who discovered how to make stem cells from ordinary skin cells and avoid the ethical quandaries of making them from human eggs could be a candidate for the medicine award when the 2010 Nobel Prize announcements kick off Monday, experts said.
Several prominent Nobel guessers … Read more »».

Twitter ‘can be used to predict flu outbreaks’

WASHINGTON – A computer science expert at Southeastern Louisiana University has revealed that keeping track of disease trends such as influenza outbreaks has the potential to be far quicker and less costly by monitoring a social network program such as Twitter than following the traditional methods of disease surveillance.

A process called syndromic surveillance uses collected …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Twitter ‘can be used to predict flu outbreaks’.

Honeybees can give humans a lesson in democracy

Washington, Oct 3 (ANI): A Cornell biologist has revealed that when honeybees seek a new home, they choose the best site through a democratic process that humans would do well to emulate.

In his new book, “Honeybee Democracy,” Thomas Seeley, professor of neurobiology and behavior, describes the elaborate decision-making process that honeybees (Apis mellifera) use when … Read more »».

Honeybees can give humans a lesson in democracy

WASHINGTON – A Cornell biologist has revealed that when honeybees seek a new home, they choose the best site through a democratic process that humans would do well to emulate.

In his new book, “Honeybee Democracy,” Thomas Seeley, professor of neurobiology and behavior, describes the elaborate decision-making process that honeybees (Apis mellifera) use when they make … Original source on Gaea Times at : Honeybees can give humans a lesson in democracy.

Ground Zero Islamic center’s new sketches provide first look at futuristic exterior

NEW YORK – New sketches of the proposed Islamic community center near 9/11 Ground Zero in New York display an updated exterior and provide the first look at the building’s futuristic interior.

According to the New York Daily News, the renderings depict a towering white building with jagged, geometric openings like a honeycomb.

Park51’s Head developer, [..] Read the original article: here.

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.

Now, audio zoom that picks out lone voice in the crowd

LONDON – The arguments between players during a cricket match could soon be overheard even within the cacophony of a packed stadium -thanks to a new microphone system.

The new system allows broadcasters to zoom in on sounds as well as sights, to pick out a single conversation, reports New Scientist.

Morgan Kjolerbakken and Vibeke Jahr, formerly …. Read the original article  : Now, audio zoom that picks out lone voice in the crowd.

Cell responsible for kidney failure in diabetics found

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found a cell in the kidney that could be key to understanding why diabetes leads to kidney failure.

Diabetes related kidney disease has previously been thought to be mainly due to the high levels of sugar in the blood damaging the small blood vessels in the kidney.

The study led by Richard …. Source article  : Cell responsible for kidney failure in diabetics found.

Racehorses came from Europe, not Arabia

LONDON – Majority of founding mothers of a prized horse breed- the famed Thoroughbred breed-came from Europe and not Arabia, as was previously believed, found a new study.

When it comes to racehorses, males get all of the attention. The founding stallions of the famed Thoroughbred breed are known to come from the Middle East, but … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Racehorses came from Europe, not Arabia.

Planet Neptune didn’t knock out Cold Classical Kuiper Belt

WASHINGTON – Challenging popular theory about how part of our solar system formed, a University of Victoria PhD student has found evidence that the planet Neptune can’t have knocked a collection of planetoids known as the Cold Classical Kuiper Belt to its current location at the edge of the solar system.

Alex Parker and his …. Original source  : Planet Neptune didn’t knock out Cold Classical Kuiper Belt.

Scientists find ‘elixir of life’

WASHINGTON – An ‘elixir of life’ cocktail that could increase life expectancy has been created by scientists.

A new study has found that when mice are given drinking water laced with a special concoction of amino acids, they live longer than average mouse.

The key ingredients in the supplemental mixture are so-called branched-chain amino acids, which account …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

China launches two satellites

BEIJING – China Wednesday launched two satellites to carry out experiments in space, Xinhua reported.

The satellites of the “Shijian VI-04″ group, with a lifespan of over two years, were launched from China’s northern Shanxi province, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre said.
…. Source  : China launches two satellites.

Our eyes evolved to see dark world

MELBOURNE – New research has revealed that human eyes evolved to see a world that contains more darkness than light.

In humans, cells that respond to a dark spot on a light background are called ‘OFF’ cells, while their counterparts are called ‘ON’ cells.

And the closer clustering of OFF cells as compared to that of ON … Read : Our eyes evolved to see dark world.

Air pollution worsens asthma symptoms in children

WASHINGTON – A joint study by researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley has found that exposure to dirty air is linked to decreased function of a gene that appears to increase the severity of asthma in children.

The findings come from a study of 181 children with and without asthma in the …. Source article  : Air pollution worsens asthma symptoms in children.

Blood test could accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – As part of a statewide study, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that a set of proteins found in blood serum shows promise as a sensitive and accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.

An analysis of the proteins, plus a clinical exam, proved 94 percent accurate in detecting suspected Alzheimer’s and 84 …. Source article  : Blood test could accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s.

Environmentalists fret about future development at NY’s Plum Island as plans to sell proceed

Environmentalists fret about Plum Island’s future

PLUM ISLAND, N.Y. – Researchers since the 1950s have studied dangerous animal diseases here that if unleashed could imperil the nation’s livestock. Cold War germ warfare testing also occurred on Plum Island, and for decades the U.S. Army used it as a coastal defense post.
Nevertheless, many environmentalists characterize Plum Island … Read more >>>.

Diamond-studded electrode could cure paralysis

WASHINGTON – A diamond is forever, not only on your ring, but also inside your body- implants made from these shiny stones can cure paralysis.

Two Case Western Reserve University researchers are building implants made of diamond and flexible polymer that are designed to identify chemical and electrical changes in the brain of patients suffering from [..] Read the original article: here.

Umbilical cord blood not the right indicator to measure allergy risk

WASHINGTON – While testing blood samples from the umbilical cords of newborn babies to assess the risk of allergy, researchers have found that the biomarker in the blood that indicates the risk factor for allergy often comes from the mother rather than her baby.

Allergies occur when the defence mechanisms of the immune system malfunction and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Umbilical cord blood not the right indicator to measure allergy risk.

How Sun steals Martian atmosphere

WASHINGTON – Mars is losing its atmosphere slowly, and it’s all because of the Sun, say scientists. It is using its own breath, the solar wind, and its radiation to rob Mars of its air – causing a once probably habitable planet to turn cold and hostile for life.

Features resembling dry riverbeds, and the discovery [..] Read the original article: here.

Why people get ‘unfriended’ on Facebook

WASHINGTON – Facebook has become the best platform where friends meet to share photos, news and gossip, but when relationships sour, another phenomenon often occurs – unfriending.

And now, in a first-of-its -kind comprehensive, a University of Colorado Denver Business School student has revealed the top reasons for Facebook unfriending, who is unfriended and how they [..] Read the original article: here.

Magic powder can make electric bikes run on urine

WASHINGTON – Electric bikes may soon be able to go up to 60 miles without any pedalling, thanks to a new fuel cell system by the company SiGNa Chemistry, which uses a magic powder that nullifies the danger of having hydrogen stored next to your nether regions and can work even by urine.

For a long … Original article on : Magic powder can make electric bikes run on urine.

‘Hidden’ language discovered in remote Indian tribe

WASHINGTON – Linguists have discovered a ‘hidden’ language spoken in a northeastern tribe of India.

Koro belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family, which includes 400 languages such as Tibetan and Burmese. About a thousand people in Arunachal Pradesh speak it.

Experts stumbled upon the language in 2008, while studying two other languages, Aka and Miji.

“This is … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Hidden’ language discovered in remote Indian tribe.

Light drinking won’t harm your unborn baby, say researchers

LONDON – A new study has suggested that drinking one or two units of alcohol in a week during pregnancy does not increase the risk of developmental problems in the child.

Although official advice remains that women should completely avoid alcohol during pregnancy, a study of more than 11,000 five-year-olds found no evidence of harm.

The study, …. Read the original article  : Light drinking won’t harm your unborn baby, say researchers.

South Korean official calls North Korea’s nuclear threat ‘extremely dangerous’

SKorea: NKorea’s nuclear threat ‘dangerous’

SEOUL, South Korea – The threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear program has reached an “extremely dangerous level,” an adviser to South Korea’s president said in comments published Wednesday.
It was not clear whether the comments by Kim Tae-hyo, President Lee Myung-bak’s deputy national security adviser, were based on new, recent intelligence.
They …. Source article  : South Korean official calls North Korea’s nuclear threat ‘extremely dangerous’.

Fish oil ups risk of colon cancer in mice

WASHINGTON – A new research led by Michigan State University has shown that fish oil – long encouraged by doctors as a supplement to support heart and joint health, among other benefits – induced severe colitis and colon cancer in mice.

Jenifer Fenton, a food science and human nutrition researcher at MSU, led the research that …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fish oil ups risk of colon cancer in mice.

250mn-year-old footprints discovered push back dino evolution by 9mn yrs

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered 250-million-year-old footprints in rocks from Poland that suggest dinosaurs evolved up to nine million years earlier than previously thought.

The fossils of dinosauromorphs suggest that dinosaurs evolved from small, four-legged animals that lived during the Early Triassic just a few million years after the ‘Great Dying,’ Earth’s most severe extinction event …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 250mn-year-old footprints discovered push back dino evolution by 9mn yrs.

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 »».

Marine researchers call for international effort to save coral reefs

WASHINGTON – Leading marine researchers say that there is still time to save the world’s ailing coral reefs, if prompt and decisive action can be taken to improve their overall health.

Eminent marine scientists from Australia and the USA have called for an international effort to improve the resilience of coral reefs, so they can withstand … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Marine researchers call for international effort to save coral reefs.

Fossil discovery of new strong-handed dinosaur to change past notions

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered fossils of an intriguing new species of dinosaur that had a powerful hand- a feat that could reveal an edgier side of some supposedly peaceful, plant-munching dinosaurs, says a new study.

The discovery of Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis, which roamed North America about 190 million years ago, also boosts the idea that at … Read : Fossil discovery of new strong-handed dinosaur to change past notions.

Dense boobs linked to breast cancer return

WASHINGTON – Patients with a very early form of breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS) who have higher mammographic density may be at increased risk for subsequent breast cancer, especially in the breast opposite to the one with the initial cancer, says a new research.

Mammographic density refers to the proportion of the breast … Read more »».

Neural responses indicate our willingness to help the person in need

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered that witnessing a person from our own group or an outsider suffer pain causes neural responses in two very different regions of the brain. And, the specific region activated reveals whether or not we will help the person in need.

The authors studied the brain …. Source  : Neural responses indicate our willingness to help the person in need.

POLITICAL INSIDER: Women’s group raises specter of ‘Speaker Boehner’ to motivate voters

POLITICAL INSIDER: Women’s group targets Boehner

WASHINGTON – A Democratic women’s group is warning voters that a Republican takeover of Congress would mean “a dangerous world.”
EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock on Thursday told a Washington audience that President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul would be scrapped and Social Security would be at risk if Democrats lose … Read more : POLITICAL INSIDER: Women’s group raises specter of ‘Speaker Boehner’ to motivate voters.

Ecosystems overloaded with nitrogen, courtesy humans

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that humans are overloading ecosystems with nitrogen through the burning of fossil fuels and an increase in nitrogen-producing industrial and agricultural activities.

While nitrogen is an element that is essential to life, it is an environmental scourge at high levels.

According to the … Read more »»».

Water ice on asteroids may be more common than expected

WASHINGTON – Scientists who made national headlines in April for showing the first evidence of water ice and organic molecules on an asteroid have now discovered that asteroid 65 Cybele contains the same material.

Their discovery suggests that water ice on asteroids may be more common than expected.

“This discovery suggests that this region of our …. Read the original article  : Water ice on asteroids may be more common than expected.

Women really do sweat far less than men

WASHINGTON – The adage ‘men perspire, women glow’ seems to be correct, for a new study has shown that men are much more efficient at sweating than women.

The study by Japanese scientists at Osaka International University and Kobe University has shown that women have to work harder than men in order to start sweating, while … Read more : Women really do sweat far less than men.

Childhood hardship may lead to unhealthy stress response later in life

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that seemingly healthy adults, if they were abused or neglected during childhood, have an elevated inflammatory response to stress compared to adults who had happier childhoods.

Psychiatrists at Brown University and Butler Hospital led the research.

Lead author Linda Carpenter, associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior, said that prior … Read more : Childhood hardship may lead to unhealthy stress response later in life.

US study finds smoking, ADHD link

MELBOURNE – A new research has found that children exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes suffer higher rates of ADHD and stuttering.

The US-based study found children with exposure to tobacco smoke had roughly double the rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and stuttering.

Wendy Max, Professor of Health Economics at the University of California …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ultrasound ‘accelerates healing of fractures’

WASHINGTON – A new report has suggested that ultrasound can speed up the healing of fractures.

A randomized controlled trial found that the use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in patients with tibial fractures, which showed inadequate progress toward healing, resulted in 34 pc greater bone mineral density (BMD) in the fracture area after 16 weeks … Read : Ultrasound ‘accelerates healing of fractures’.

Childhood asthma curbs smoking in adolescence

WASHINGTON – A new study from Italy has discovered that boys who suffer from asthma are less likely to smoke as teenagers.

An epidemiologist at the University of Verona, Giuseppe Verlato, asked participants to recall whether they smoked between the ages of 11 and 20 and if they had suffered from asthma as young children.

The results …. Original source  : Childhood asthma curbs smoking in adolescence.

First dynamic model ‘to explain’ mystery of Mount Etna

WASHINGTON – The first dynamic model to explain the mystery of the largest and most fascinating volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, has been developed.

Internationally renowned geophysicist Dr Wouter Schellart’s results from fluid dynamic models provide an alternative explanation for the existence of Mount Etna, its geological environment and evolution, as well as volcanism in the …. Read the original article  : here.

Now, get yourself your dream body, but only in your movie

LONDON – Don’t like the way you look on video? Well, you can now manipulate the images to look better-thanks to a new kind of software.

Developed by Christian Theobalt of the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbrucken, Germany, and colleagues, it allows professional and amateur moviemakers to dramatically alter how muscular, leggy or heavy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, get yourself your dream body, but only in your movie.

Cheek swab may spot lung cancer

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a method to detect early signs of lung cancer by examining cheek cells in humans using pioneering biophotonics technology.

The study has been conducted by researchers from Northwestern University and NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore).

“By examining the lining of the cheek with this optical technology, we have the potential to prescreen patients …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cheek swab may spot lung cancer.

Functional artificial pancreatic tissue offers new hope to diabetics

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found a completely new way of controlling insulin dependent diabetes without daily injections of insulin.

Surgeons from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston have bio engineered a novel matrix that serves as a scaffold for seeding supportive stem cells as well as pancreatic islets (the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas).

The researchers … Read more : Functional artificial pancreatic tissue offers new hope to diabetics.

Campaign in Goa: buy a cow, save the tiger

PANAJI – Grassroots wildlife activists who have been fighting for notification of Goa’s rich, but mining-threatened, forests as a tiger reserve have found a unique way to compensate a 51-year-old widow whose cow was killed by a big cat in September.

The milk-yielding cow was a lifeline for Sai Pingle, 55, a dhangar tribal and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Campaign in Goa: buy a cow, save the tiger.

Sunny morning but dust haze likely

NEW DELHI – The national capital saw a pleasant and sunny morning Friday with the day temperature expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius, but the weatherman said the city could see a dust haze later.

Delhi recorded a minimum of 23 degrees Celsius, three notches above the normal for this time of the … Original article on : Sunny morning but dust haze likely.

Honda expands hybrid lineup with subcompact Fit hybrid going on sale in Japan for under $20K

Honda subcompact Fit hybrid goes on sale in Japan

TOKYO – Honda’s new hybrid Fit subcompact went on sale in Japan on Friday as the automaker expands its green car lineup that already includes the Insight and CR-Z sports car.
The Fit hybrid will start at 1.59 million yen ($19,160), the cheapest of the automaker’s gasoline-electric cars, …. Original article  : Honda expands hybrid lineup with subcompact Fit hybrid going on sale in Japan for under $20K.

Russian spy sees off US-Russian crew as it blasts off for orbiting space station

Spy sees off US-Russian crew for space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan – A Russian rocket with a U.S. astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts onboard blasted off successfully early Friday for the International Space Station, with flame-haired Russian spy Anna Chapman making an unexpected appearance at the cosmodrome to wave them good-bye.
The Soyuz TMA-01M was launched at the … Read more >>.

New babies come online before they’re even born: survey

LONDON – Rushing to the hospital to see your best friend’s newborn baby is a thing of the past, for now most people are using something far more convenient for their first glimpse of a baby- the Internet.

A new study has revealed that more than eight out of 10 babies have an online ‘life’ by …. Original source  : New babies come online before they’re even born: survey.

Animals have spiritual experiences too

WASHINGTON – Just like human beings even animals have spiritual experiences, says a prominent neurologist.

Research suggested that spiritual experiences originate deep within primitive areas of the human brain-areas shared by other animals with brain structures like our own.

“Since only humans are capable of language that can communicate the richness of spiritual experience, it is unlikely … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Animals have spiritual experiences too.

Monster galaxies’ blasts superheated early universe

WASHINGTON – New Hubble observations have suggested that monster galaxies with supermassive black hole hearts released fierce blasts that superheated the early universe.

The scorching conditions also stunted the growth of smaller dwarf galaxies, the new research has shown.

Between 11.7 to 11.3 billion years ago, ultraviolet (UV) light emitted by quasars-enormous galaxies with supermassive black holes …. Original source  : Monster galaxies’ blasts superheated early universe.

New therapy shows promising result for HER2-positive metastatic disease

WASHINGTON – Researchers have reported that a new type of breast cancer treatment has shown encouraging activity as a first-line therapy in HER2-positive metastatic disease.

Principal investigator Edith Perez, MD, Mayo Clinic in Florida, presented the results of the first ever-randomized trial of trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) as a first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer.

T-DM1 is the first … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New therapy shows promising result for HER2-positive metastatic disease.

IVF breakthrough raises pregnancy chances

MELBOURNE – A groundbreaking way to measure the health of an embryo and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy through IVF treatment has been developed by the Scientists from the University of Melbourne and Repromed.

By measuring the level of glucose consumed by embryos in the first five days, the researchers can determine which are the …. Source  : IVF breakthrough raises pregnancy chances.

People who sweat to shocking images are more likely to vote

LONDON – If your heart starts pouncing and you start sweating by watching some awful pictures, then you are most likely to vote, say researchers.

A researcher has indicated that subtle physiological reactions have political consequences.

Douglas Oxley at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln discovered that political conservatives react more strongly to shocking images and … Read more >>.

‘Telehealth’ monitoring system to send body organs’ updates to your phone

LONDON – A new type of wireless body area network (BAN) has been unveiled that can keep a check on the function of vital body organs and warn the patients in case anything goes wrong, and that too via their cellphones.

Dubbed the Human++ BAN platform, the system was unveiled by Dutch research organisation IMEC, based …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Telehealth’ monitoring system to send body organs’ updates to your phone.

New therapeutic target for some breast cancers discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a new therapeutic target for some breast cancers.

A protein that pumps calcium out of cells also moonlights as a signal to get massive quantities of the stuff to flow in, according to Johns Hopkins scientists. …. Read the original article  : New therapeutic target for some breast cancers discovered.

New research holds promise for development of novel osteoporosis drug

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered a group of substances in the body that play a key role in controlling bone density.

On the basis of their discovery, they have begun development of a drug for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and other bone disorders.

Osteoporosis is the …. Original article  : New research holds promise for development of novel osteoporosis drug.

ADHD in childhood linked to depression in adolescence

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at greater risk for adolescent depression and/or suicide attempts five to 13 years after diagnosis.

Sixteen to 37 percent of clinically-diagnosed adults with ADHD also suffer from major depressive disorder and/or dysthymia … Read more »»».

X-rays may increase childhood leukemia risk

WASHINGTON – A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health has revealed that diagnostic X-rays may increase the risk of developing childhood leukemia.

Specifically, the researchers found that children with acute …. Source  : X-rays may increase childhood leukemia risk.

Experimental vaccine against Alzheimer’s disease created

WASHINGTON – Researchers have successfully created an experimental vaccine against the small protein that forms plaques in the brain and is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Compared with similar so-called DNA vaccines that the UT Southwestern researchers tested in an animal study, new study states experimental vaccine stimulated more than 10 times … Read more >>.

Mobile phone giants accused of burying warnings in small print

LONDON – Mobile phone giants have been accused of keeping the warnings about the health risks of using their handsets undercover-by keeping them buried deep inside the manual.

A warning that Apple’s popular iPhone should be kept at least 15mm away from the body is buried deep inside the handbook.

BlackBerry goes even further, saying customers should … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mobile phone giants accused of burying warnings in small print.

Robotic swan dancing to the remix of 133-year-old opera debuts

LONDON – More that a century old opera Swan Lake has entered the age of robotics-a robotic swan that dances to a remix of Tchaikovsky’s classic has been created.

A theatre director, a choreographer and a computer scientist put their heads together to create the robot and the dancing creature has fascinated and moved test audiences.

Computer …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Critics raise concern about direct-to-consumer genetic tests

WASHINGTON – Critics have raised concern about the safety risks of Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests available from retailers and the Internet, which let people learn about their genomes without going to a doctor.

These test raise the question of who is responsible for oversight and regulation of these DTC tests.

Even critics worry about safety risks … Original article on : Critics raise concern about direct-to-consumer genetic tests.

Evidence of unusual drug-resistant breast tumours found

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found how gene expression that contributes to drug resistance is ramped up in unusual types of breast tumours.

The findings by the researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine may offer new therapy targets.

Approximately 70 percent of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor. These “ER-positive” tumors usually respond …. Read the original article  : Evidence of unusual drug-resistant breast tumours found.

Scientists trick bacteria to incorporate foreign small molecules into cell wall

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Yale University have artificially created the cell wall of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, tricking it into incorporating foreign small molecules and embedding them within the cell wall.

The finding represents the first time scientists have engineered the cell wall of a pathogenic “Gram-positive” bacteria-organisms responsible not only for Staph infections but also … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists trick bacteria to incorporate foreign small molecules into cell wall.

New discovery could change how the body receives medicine

WASHINGTON – Queen’s University scientists have found how molecules in glass or plastic are able to move when exposed to light from a laser.

The findings could one day be used to facilitate medicinal drug distribution by allowing doctors to control the time and rate at which drugs are delivered into the body.

The drugs, in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New discovery could change how the body receives medicine.

Sunny day in Delhi

NEW DELHI – There was a slight nip in the air Saturday morning, but the weatherman said Delhi would see a sunny day ahead with a breeze keeping the city cool.

“The day will be sunny and a breeze has been blowing, keeping the day cool. But humidity will be high, which may cause some …. Read the original article  : Sunny day in Delhi.

‘Go green’ with male herbal contraceptives

JAIPUR – Men could soon be popping contraceptive pills made of plants if the results of experiments carried out at Rajasthan University are anything to go by.

The zoology department of the university has been experimenting on rats for the last five years and the results have been encouraging.
“We want to develop a safe, …. Read the original article  : ‘Go green’ with male herbal contraceptives.

Sea level monitoring ‘best way to predict impacts of climate change’

NEW DELHI – An Australian leading ocean scientist has said that more thorough sea level monitoring is needed to protect one trillion dollars (0.98 trillion U.S. dollars) worth of the world’s infrastructure threatened by climate change.

In the book Understanding Sea-level Rise and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sea level monitoring ‘best way to predict impacts of climate change’.

5 meanest sites your kids should never visit

WASHINGTON – Want to keep your children away from cyberbullying? Well, below are the names of websites that kids should never visit.

Experts have suggested that parents can protect their kids from websites that abound with the worst of the Web: rampant insults, slurs, demeaning topics and ultimately cyberbullying.

Here … Read more >>>.

New cancer drug may end chemo misery

London, Oct (ANI): Scientists have developed a new cancer treatment that can safely deliver extremely high chemotherapy doses with minimal side effects.

Excited scientists say the new-generation drug, to be announced at a leading cancer conference this … Read more : New cancer drug may end chemo misery.

Psychologist develops new tool to measure anxiety levels

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a new instrument to help clinicians determine more objectively a patient’s level of anxiety.

Dan Johnson of Washington and Lee University has created the Attention Control Capacity for Emotion (ACCE) task, which will be …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Psychologist develops new tool to measure anxiety levels.

Wanted: A team to look for Bigfoot

BEIJING – A research association in China has launched a global recruitment drive to form a team to search for the legendary and elusive ape-like creature called Bigfoot.

The Hubei Wild Man Research Association in Hubei province will launch the search in the Shennongjia forest region. Located in the remote mountains in Hubei, the reserve …. Read the original article  : here.

Womb transplant offers new hope to infertile women

LONDON – Infertile women may soon be able to conceive with scientists bringing womb transplant closer to reality.

After successful animal trials, doctors hope to try the transplant with a human within two years.

“This … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Womb transplant offers new hope to infertile women.

New drug shows promise against platinum resistant ovarian cancer

WASHINGTON – An international research group has reported that a drug being developed as a treatment for ovarian cancer has shown single agent activity with durable disease control in some patients in a Phase-II clinical trial.

Dr Ursula Matulonis from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the … Read more : New drug shows promise against platinum resistant ovarian cancer.

At 85, he spearheads a green campaign

LUCKNOW – He is a freedom fighter who continues to fight passionately for a cause. Meet Raghuvansh Dubey, 85, a native of Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district who has been spearheading a green campaign for the past nearly 30 years.

Dubey, who went to jail several times for his activities against British rule, has till now …. Original source  : At 85, he spearheads a green campaign.

Fossil of new dinosaur species found in China

BEIJING – Scientists in China have discovered the fossils of a previously-unknown dinosaur species – a meat-eating theropod.

The fossils of the dinosaur were unearthed at Longshan in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong in September, said Dong Zhiming, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology.
The dinosaur was … Read more »»».

Google tests self-driving car in California

LONDON – Engineers at Google tested a car that drives on its own on the streets of California, the company has announced.

The cars uses video cameras mounted on the roof, radar sensors and a laser range finder to ’see’ other traffic, said software engineer …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Google tests self-driving car in California.

UNESCO team to visit plateau of flowers

SATARA – A team of experts from UNESCO will visit Maharashtra’s picturesque Kaas Plateau where an amazing variety of wild flowers grow to examine a proposal of granting it world heritage site status, a top official said here.

“The UNESCO team is expected in the state Oct 21-25 to consider several proposals including sanction of …. Source article  : UNESCO team to visit plateau of flowers.

Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft docks with ISS

Moscow, Oct 10 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia’s Soyuz TMA-M manned spacecraft has docked with the International Space Station (ISS), the mission control said Sunday.

The Soyuz brought to the ISS Russian cosmonauts Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka and American US astronaut Scott Kelly. They will join cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and astronauts Douglas Wheelock and Shannon Walker, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft docks with ISS.

Carbon clean-up for aviation agreed; EU claims victory

MONTREAL/WASHINGTON – The European Union claimed a diplomatic victory after governments from 190 countries agreed to reduce the impact of global aviation carbon emissions on climate change.

The UN’s aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) late Friday backed a global goal of improving fuel efficiency by two percent every year starting as early …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Carbon clean-up for aviation agreed; EU claims victory.

Asian nuclear conference starts Monday

CHENNAI – Senior officials of India’s nuclear energy establishment will discuss all aspects and potential of atomic power with their global counterparts at the three-day International Conference on Asian Nuclear Prospects (ANUP 2010) starting here Oct 11.

The conference, to be held in Mahabalipuram, a resort town around 60 km from here, is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Asian nuclear conference starts Monday.

Dudhwa National Park to be named after Ambedkar

LUCKNOW – The Dudhwa National Park, rated as the second largest wildlife reserve after the Corbett National Park, will soon be renamed as Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar National Park, a top government official said Saturday.

“A formal decision in this regard is awaited, but a proposal has been accepted in principle at the highest level,” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dudhwa National Park to be named after Ambedkar.

Sunny day in Delhi, mist likely Sunday

NEW DELHI – A sunny day with a nip in the air in the morning was experienced in Delhi Saturday, and the weatherman predicted a misty start to Sunday.

Despite being a sunny day, a breeze kept the city cool Saturday, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
According to the official, the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sunny day in Delhi, mist likely Sunday.

India’s fast breeder test reactor going strong at 25

CHENNAI – Even as it celebrates 25 years of operations Sunday, the 13MW fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam is still going strong and is expected to serve as the test bed for new technologies developed by Indian scientists for a decade more, an official said.

A fast breeder reactor is one which breeds … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India’s fast breeder test reactor going strong at 25.

Kids learn from ‘few grazed knees or bruised elbows’

LONDON – In a bid to get rid of Britain’s ‘cotton wool culture’ and encourage youngsters to play outdoors, new Health and Safety regulations have recommended that children should be encouraged to climb trees and graze knees.

In a move, which has been hailed as a victory of common sense, new guidelines say children should be … Read more >>.

Coast Guard commissions pollution control vessel

MUMBAI – The Indian Coast Guard’s state-of-the art indigenously built pollution control vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari was commissioned at the naval dockyard here Saturday by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The induction of the much-needed vessel would significantly boost the protection of the region’s maritime environment, Chavan said on the occasion.
Vice Admiral Sanjeev … Original source on Gaea Times at : Coast Guard commissions pollution control vessel.

New pics suggest water flowed through Mars

WASHINGTON – New images from ESA’s Mars Express have suggested that water flowed across Mars in the past.

The image shows the floor of Melas Chasma sinking nine kilometres below the surrounding plains.

Melas Chasma is part of the huge Valles Marineris rift valley, which stretches for more than 4000 km across the surface of Mars.

The image …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New pics suggest water flowed through Mars.

Pre-exercise stretching ‘kills runners’ strength’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that static stretching before a workout lowers runners’ endurance and make their body less efficient.

While previous studies have illustrated the effects of stretching on anaerobic activities, this was the first one to show the effects on …. Original article  : Pre-exercise stretching ‘kills runners’ strength’.

Hepatitis C virus infection linked to fat enzyme in liver cells

LONDON – Scientists have found that an enzyme associated with the storage of fat in the liver is necessary for the infectious activity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

This discovery may offer a new strategy for treating the infection.

The study …. Original article  : Hepatitis C virus infection linked to fat enzyme in liver cells.

TTF therapy, chemo combo ‘increase survival for lung cancer patients’

WASHINGTON – Novocure reported today that patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) achieved a significant increase in survival time when tumour treating fields (TTF) therapy was added to chemotherapy, as compared to chemotherapy alone.

Physicians delivered … Read more »».

New discovery paves way for pollution-free electricity
production

LONDON – Scientists have identified new properties in a material that could result in efficient and inexpensive plastic solar cells for pollution-free electricity production.

The discovery by physicists at Rutgers University reveals that energy-carrying particles generated by packets of light can … Original article on : New discovery paves way for pollution-free electricity
production.

Huge parts of world drying up due to land ‘evapotranspiration’:
Study

LONDON – A group of researchers examining ‘evapotranspiration’ on a global basis have concluded that the soils in large areas of the Southern Hemisphere, including major portions of Australia, Africa and South America, have been drying up in the past decade.

Most climate models have suggested … Original article on : Huge parts of world drying up due to land ‘evapotranspiration’:
Study.

Healthy baby conceived from 20-year-old embryo

LONDON – A baby has been conceived in the US out of an embryo frozen 20 years ago – the longest time a fertilised egg has been stored before developing into a healthy baby.

This breakthrough could pave the way for thousands of women to have children in middle age.
The newborn’s 42-year-old mother, … Read more >>.

Too much TV or computer games can make kids mentally ill’

WASHINGTON – Watching TV or playing computer games for more than two hours a day is related to greater psychological difficulties in children, regardless of how physically active they are, according to a new study.

The study of over a 1,000 children aged between ten …. Source article  : Too much TV or computer games can make kids mentally ill’.

Families now own three to five TV sets in Britain

LONDON – One in six families own five TV sets in Britain and two-thirds of households have three sets or more.

In many homes, it is now the norm to have TVs in every bedroom and the kitchen, as well as the living room.
Families still watch popular shows together but often have sets …. Source  : Families now own three to five TV sets in Britain.

Eating a banana every 3 days ‘can improve male fertility’

KUALA LUMPUR – A Singaporean urologist has claimed that eating a banana every three days can improve fertility in men, according to a report.

According to Sin Chew Daily, the fruit can increase sperm count as it contains high level of magnesium to produce sperm cells, reports … Original article on : Eating a banana every 3 days ‘can improve male fertility’.

Healthy baby born from embryo frozen 20 years ago

LONDON – A healthy baby has been born from a frozen embryo that is twenty years old, potentially giving women the chance to put off motherhood until their forties or fifties.

It is the longest time a fertilised egg has been stored before developing into a healthy baby, reports …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Virgin Galactic’s spaceship makes first solo test flight

LONDON – Experiencing those few minutes of weightlessness on Virgin Galactic’s suborbital spaceship-Enterprise-would soon become a reality, as the spaceship has made its first solo test flight in California.

The spaceship was carried to an altitude of [..] Read the original article: here.

Mars CO2 leak linked to existence of life

LONDON – Scientists have revealed that life may have existed on Mars thanks to the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

The revelation has been made after satellite data suggested huge amounts of CO2 locked in rock four miles under the surface, reports the Sun.

It is … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mars CO2 leak linked to existence of life.

New gene study paves way for more anti-malaria treatments

LONDON – Scientists have discovered genes that are capable of making some malaria-carrying mosquitoes resistant to insecticide.

Scottish researchers have found a gene that enables the parasite that causes the infection to resist treatment with the plant-based remedy artemisinin.

They hope the breakthrough could boost efforts … Read more : New gene study paves way for more anti-malaria treatments.

Orally administered nanoparticles to treat inflammatory bowel diseases

LONDON – Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have developed a system for delivering small bits of genetic material into the body to improve the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

These particles of RNA …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Astronomers find long-lost lunar rover after 36 years

MELBOURNE – After being lost for 36 years, the lunar rover Lunokhod 1, has been rediscovered by astronomers using laser pulses.

Using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Associate Professor Tom Murphy at the University of California, San …. Source  : Astronomers find long-lost lunar rover after 36 years.

Your personality type makes you docile or aggressive

LONDON – Are you docile or aggressive? Well, that depends on your personality type, says a new research.

“Some of us are couch potatoes while others are drawn to sport and exercise,” notes Peter Biro, senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales.
“We often associate the athletic ‘jock’ type of person with being …. Read the original article  : here.

Rise of Google Chrome threatens Internet Explorer, Mozilla

LONDON – Web browser Google Chrome, which emerged in mid-2008, has hit Internet Explorer hard and stalled the rise of Mozilla Firefox.

Internet Explorer now accounts for less than 50 percent of worldwide web browser usage, a fall from its peak of 88 percent in 2003.
The fall makes the latest version, Internet …. Original article  : Rise of Google Chrome threatens Internet Explorer, Mozilla.

Yoga benefits childhood cancer patients and their parents

WASHINGTON – Yoga can reduce the stress of cancer diagnosis and treatment experienced by childhood cancer patients and their parents, says a study.

As per the research, parents and adolescents showed a decrease in anxiety and increase in sense of well-being following yoga sessions conducted … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Yoga benefits childhood cancer patients and their parents.

Experts offer 10 tips for breast cancer screening and early detection

WASHINGTON – Experts from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and its clinical care partner, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, are offering a series of weekly research-based tip sheets regarding a variety of topics related to breast cancer, including breast cancer prevention, screening …. Original article  : Experts offer 10 tips for breast cancer screening and early detection.

Manipulating muscle stem cells could treat muscular dystrophy

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists recently uncovered the molecular messengers that translate inflammatory signals into the genetic changes that tell muscle stem cells to differentiate.

At Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), a team of scientists led by Pier Lorenzo Puri … Original article on : Manipulating muscle stem cells could treat muscular dystrophy.

New mongoose-like species found in Madagascar

LONDON – A new species of cat sized carnivores has been discovered in Madagascar.

The speckled brown mammal belongs to a family of mongoose-like animals found only on the Indian Ocean island, one of the most threatened species in the world, conservationists said.
The species, named Durrell’s Vontsira (Salanoia durrelli), was identified by researchers from … Original source on Gaea Times at : New mongoose-like species found in Madagascar.

Squeezable cell phone to give you status info without having to look at it

LONDON – Scientists have developed a squeezable cellphone – SqueezeBlock – using tiny motors built into the casing to mimic the behaviour of a spring.

The shape-shifter smartphone, developed by Shwetak Patel, a computer science and engineering researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues, would able to alter its appearance to signal an …. Read the original article  : Squeezable cell phone to give you status info without having to look at it.

Airplanes that also travel in space to be ‘the holy grail’ of aeronautics

WASHINGTON – A British firm is working on an airplane that would also travel in space.

Reaction Engines is constructing a prototype of a critical piece of its spaceplane’s technology, which will be tested on a conventional jet engine.

The ultimate objective is Skylon, an unpiloted, air-breathing vehicle that takes off and lands on a runway, and …. Original article  : Airplanes that also travel in space to be ‘the holy grail’ of aeronautics.

Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7 range

LONDON – Microsoft has unveiled a new range of smartphones to rival the phenomenal success of Apple’s iPhone.

The company wants its new operating system, Windows Phone 7 (WP7), to put its mobile business back in the running against not just Apple, but also Google, which makes the Android phone software, among others.
Speaking at …. Read the original article  : Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7 range.

Was Oz-Indian scientist first to discover recently found Earth-like planet?

MELBOURNE – The recent discovery of ‘Earth-like’ planet caused a tizzy in the science world, but many are still sceptical of the claim.

Steven Vogt, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, and his colleague Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington announced the Gliese 581g finding in a press conference … Read more >>.

‘Mona Lisa’ model remains ‘found in Florence municipal dump’

LONDON – In a tragic turn of events, the remains of the Italian woman who modelled for Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ were found lying in a municipal rubbish tip, an Italian expert has claimed.

First a tobacco factory, then a university teaching facility and recently being converted into barracks for Italy’s tax police, the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Mona Lisa’ model remains ‘found in Florence municipal dump’.

On Facebook, the more apps you add ‘the more popular you are’

LONDON – An Oxford University-led research has found that users calculate their popularity quotient based on how many Facebook applications they add onto their profile.

The researchers found people display a herding instinct, making them want to use the same product as others – but only once it has reached a certain level of popularity.

“Users only …. Original source  : On Facebook, the more apps you add ‘the more popular you are’.

iPod stations for sailors on British warship

LONDON – Soldiers on board a British destroyer can now let their hair down as their ship is fitted with state-of-the-art iPod plugging stations.

The 7,500-tonne HMS Duncan, built at a cost of one billion pounds, was launched Monday at the Govan shipyard in Glasgow, The Sun reported.
The destroyer not only packs Tomahawk and [..] Read the original article: here.

Fish were the first to have sex for fun, fossils suggest

WASHINGTON – New research from the Gogo Formation of Western Australia suggests that fish were the first to have intimate sex by copulation.

Well-preserved fossils of extinct armoured fish belonging to in the early Devonian Period around 400 to 410 million years ago suggest that the activity of sex wasn’t just “spawning in water, but sex … Read more »»».

Man to ‘fly around Moon for the first time’

LONDON – Russian, European and US space agencies are considering the possibility of flying a manned mission around the Moon using the space station as a launching point.

The agencies want the station to become more than just a high-flying platform for doing experiments in microgravity – they want to see it become a testbed for … Read : Man to ‘fly around Moon for the first time’.

Sometimes, even dogs ’see the glass half empty’

WASHINGTON – It seems unlikely that a dog could be pessimistic, but a new study suggests that sometimes even they see the glass half empty.

A study at the University of Bristol has shown that “a ‘glass-half-full’ dog is less likely to be anxious when left alone than one with a more ‘pessimistic’ nature.”

To verify the …. Source article  : Sometimes, even dogs ’see the glass half empty’.

Paralysed patient becomes world’s first to get stem cell therapy

LONDON – For the first time, scientists have used human embryonic stem cells to treat a paralysed patient in a study described as the “dawn” of a new age of medicine.

Carried out at the Shepherd Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, the trial on a patient with severe spinal injuries is the first to test a …. Source  : Paralysed patient becomes world’s first to get stem cell therapy.

Coming soon: ‘Magic pill’ for men with aggressive prostate cancer

LONDON – A study from the Institute of Cancer Research based in London and Surrey indicates that a potentially life-prolonging pill for men with aggressive prostate cancer could be available within a year.

The abiraterone acetate drug, for which phase three trials were halted on ethical grounds, will offer new hope to men with advanced prostate …. Read the original article  : Coming soon: ‘Magic pill’ for men with aggressive prostate cancer.

55-million-year-old fossil sheds light on bizarre extinct mammal

WASHINGTON – University of Florida researchers, who found a well-preserved 55-million-year-old North American mammal, have discovered that it shares a common ancestor with rodents and primates, including humans.

High resolution CT scans of the extinct mammal, Labidolemur kayi, showed that it is related to rodents, rabbits, flying lemurs, tree shrews and primates.

“The specimens are among … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 55-million-year-old fossil sheds light on bizarre extinct mammal.

Space technology-inspired high-resolution X-ray camera to help dentists

WASHINGTON – A Swedish company has taken inspiration from an advanced technique used for miniaturising space hardware to make a visit to the dentist a little more comfortable.

The tiny new high-resolution X-ray camera captures pictures that are dramatically more detailed and with higher contrast than the conventional X-ray machines widely used.

The heart of the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Space technology-inspired high-resolution X-ray camera to help dentists.

New find points toward habitable environments deep in Martian crust

LONDON – A Planetary Science Institute researcher has said that a new discovery of hydrothermally altered carbonate-bearing rocks on Mars points toward habitable environments deep in the Martian crust.

A deposit of carbonate rocks that once existed 6 km (about 4 miles) below the surface of Mars was uplifted and exposed by an ancient meteor impact, [..] Read the original article: here.

Apple’s iPad named ‘Gadget of the Year’

LONDON – Apple’s iPad has been named Gadget of the Year at the technology grant equivalent of the Oscars.

The US electronics giant bagged five top gongs at the T3 Gadget Awards 2010 in London, reports the Sun.

The ten-inch touchscreen tablet computer was also Innovation of the Year, while the iPhone 4 won Commuter Gadget. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Apple’s iPad named ‘Gadget of the Year’.

Coming soon: ‘Magic pill’ for men with aggressive prostate cancer

LONDON – A study from the Institute of Cancer Research based in London and Surrey indicates that a potentially life-prolonging pill for men with aggressive prostate cancer could be available within a year.

The abiraterone acetate drug, for which phase three trials were halted on ethical grounds, will offer new hope to men with advanced prostate … Read : Coming soon: ‘Magic pill’ for men with aggressive prostate cancer.

55-million-year-old fossil sheds light on bizarre extinct mammal

WASHINGTON – University of Florida researchers, who found a well-preserved 55-million-year-old North American mammal, have discovered that it shares a common ancestor with rodents and primates, including humans.

High resolution CT scans of the extinct mammal, Labidolemur kayi, showed that it is related to rodents, rabbits, flying lemurs, tree shrews and primates.

“The specimens are among … Read : 55-million-year-old fossil sheds light on bizarre extinct mammal.

Space technology-inspired high-resolution X-ray camera to help dentists

WASHINGTON – A Swedish company has taken inspiration from an advanced technique used for miniaturising space hardware to make a visit to the dentist a little more comfortable.

The tiny new high-resolution X-ray camera captures pictures that are dramatically more detailed and with higher contrast than the conventional X-ray machines widely used.

The heart of the …. Read the original article  : Space technology-inspired high-resolution X-ray camera to help dentists.

Humpback whale undertakes record 6,200-mile journey

LONDON – A humpback whale has swum into the record books after travelling a quarter of the way around the world.

In the longest recorded migration by any mammal, the female travelled 6,200 miles from the coast of Brazil to Madagascar. This is more than twice the distance humpbacks usually manage in a single migratory … Original article on : Humpback whale undertakes record 6,200-mile journey.

Now, a mobile video game to train you to choose healthier diet

WASHINGTON – A candidate from Georgia Tech College of Computing has shown that playing health-related video games on a mobile device can help adults learn to live more healthfully by making smart diet choices.

OrderUP! Includes “exergames,” in which players get a genuine workout while playing. It educates players about how to make healthy eating choices … Read more »»».

Whale poop ups productivity of ocean fisheries

WASHINGTON – A new study from Harvard University and University of Vermont has revealed that whale faeces is rich in nutrients, and has a huge positive influence on the productivity of ocean fisheries.

Most whales actually deposit waste that floats at the surface of the ocean, “very liquidy, a flocculent plume,” said University of Vermont whale … Original source on Gaea Times at : Whale poop ups productivity of ocean fisheries.

Scientists voice concern over new ’superbugs’

WASHINGTON – Scientists worldwide have voiced their concerns regarding the health threat caused by a fresh generation of so-called superbugs.

For instance, the gene NDM-1’s ability to affect different bacteria and make them resistant to many medications marks a worrying development in the fight against infectious diseases, which can mutate to defeat humans’ antibiotic arsenal.

“You …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New gene could explain relationship between diabetes, Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers have found that a gene associated with the onset of Type 2 diabetes is also found at lower-than-normal levels in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The new study provides insight into a potential mechanism that might explain the relationship between Type 2 diabetes and the onset and progression of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New gene could explain relationship between diabetes, Alzheimer’s.

Jaundice in newborns may be linked to autism

LONDON – Newborn babies diagnosed with jaundice may be at higher risk of developing autism later on, according to a new study.

As part of the research, Rikke Damkjaer Maimburg of Aarhus University in Denmark and colleagues studied all Danish births between 1994 and 2004.

They found that 2.37 per cent of full-term babies treated for … Read more >>>.

Android phones more popular than iPhones

WASHINGTON – It looks like Android would quickly move past the iPhone in market share.

Android phones are officially more popular with new smart phone consumers than iPhones, according to figures that have just been released by Nielsen Company.

Google gives its app developers more freedom than Apple does, and the Android operating system is available …. Source  : Android phones more popular than iPhones.

Google’s new apps to help the blind navigate

NEW YORK – Google has released two new applications that would help blind users of their Android smartphones navigate the world.

The Walky Talky app gives audio walking directions to the user. Unlike the standard Navigation app, it also calls out street addresses as you pass them, helping the user keep their bearings when travelling in … Read more >>>.

Scientists reveal new clues to origin of diabetes

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified events inside insulin-producing pancreatic cells that set the stage for a neonatal form of non-autoimmune type 1 diabetes, and may play a role in type 2 diabetes as well.

The study from the University of Michigan scientists has pointed a potential target for drugs to protect normally functioning proteins essential for …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Fossils suggest earliest land plants were 472 million years old

LONDON – Fossils of the oldest plants ever to colonise land have been found in Argentina, claim scientists.

The new find puts back by 10 million years the colonisation of land by plants, and suggests that a diversity of land plants had evolved by 472 million years ago.

The discovery of the oldest known land plants was … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fossils suggest earliest land plants were 472 million years old.

Early humans may have been prey, not predators

WASHINGTON – A new study from University of Minnesota suggests that our human ancestors were not hunters right from the beginning; in fact they were hunted by prehistoric beasts like hungry birds and carnivorous mammals.

The team discovered multiple de-fleshed, chomped and gnawed bones from the extinct primates, which lived 16 to 20 million years ago …. Original source  : Early humans may have been prey, not predators.

3.3bn years old ‘microscopic tunnels’ point to ancient life

LONDON – London, Oct 13 (ANI): Scientists have discovered tiny tubes that have been etched into South African rocks by microbes at least at least 3.3 billion years ago, and believe that the tubules could represent the earliest ‘trace’ evidence of activity by microbes on Earth.

Researchers at University of Bergen analysed the material filling the …. Original article  : 3.3bn years old ‘microscopic tunnels’ point to ancient life.

Memory booster pill for the elderly in the offing

SYDNEY – A pill that prevents forgetfulness among the elderly is being developed by British doctors.

The drug, aimed at treating absent-mindedness rather than brain diseases, has been tested on animals, with encouraging results.
Human trials are expected to begin next year. If successful, the drug will be available commercially within the next five years, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Memory booster pill for the elderly in the offing.

Men never forget sexy women’s sexual overtures even years after event

WASHINGTON – A new study suggests that college-aged men are very likely to remember a woman’s initial sexual interest (attraction or rejection), especially when the woman in question is thought to be attractive, is dressed more provocatively, and expresses positive sexual interest.

Men who were shown full-body photographs of college-aged women who expressed cues of sexual …. Read the original article  : Men never forget sexy women’s sexual overtures even years after event.

Soon, drug to stop memory loss

WASHINGTON – Scottish researchers have come up with a new treatment, which could be used to improve memory and mental performance in older people.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh say that a new experimental compound can improve memory and cognitive function in ageing mice.

The team has identified a preclinical candidate that they hope to take … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Soon, drug to stop memory loss.

Females as good as males in math skills: Study

WASHINGTON – A new examination of existing studies has indicated that the mathematical skills of boys and girls, as well as men and women, are substantially equal.

One portion of the new study looked systematically at 242 articles that assessed the math skills of 1,286,350 people, says chief author Janet Hyde, a professor of psychology and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Females as good as males in math skills: Study.

Our brains more responsive to friends than to strangers: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that people’s brains are more responsive to friends than to strangers, even if the stranger has more in common.

Researchers examined a brain region known to be involved in processing social information, and the results suggest that social alliances outweigh shared interests.

In a study led by graduate student Fenna …. Original source  : Our brains more responsive to friends than to strangers: Study.

Achilles’ heel in aggressive breast tumours uncovered

WASHINGTON – Fox Chase Cancer Centre researchers have discovered that a loss of protein that initially slows breast cancer formation but then makes the tumours that do arise more aggressive.

However, the lack of Nedd9 also makes the aggressive tumours more sensitive to a class of drugs that are already used in the clinic.

“It is reminiscent …. Original article  : Achilles’ heel in aggressive breast tumours uncovered.

Record-breaking whale swims 9,800 kms in search of love

LONDON – A female humpback whale has astonished marine biologists by swimming over 9,800 kilometres from breeding areas in Brazil to those in Madagascar, setting a record for the longest mammal migration ever documented.

According to Peter Stevick, a biologist at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, and his colleagues, the journey is …. Original source  : Record-breaking whale swims 9,800 kms in search of love.

Why some people always have a runny nose while others don’t

LONDON – Ever noticed how some people always seem to falling prey to cold, be it summers or winters? It may be genetic, and now a leading science writer, Jennifer Ackerman, busts some other common myths about cold in her book ‘Ah-Choo’.

Vitamin C won’t stop a cold: Studies have shown that there’s no evidence that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why some people always have a runny nose while others don’t.

Assam villagers poisoning elephants to prevent attacks

GUWAHATI – Human-elephant conflict has reached alarming proportions in Assam with at least four wild Asiatic elephants being poisoned by the villagers in the past one week, wildlife authorities said.

An enquiry by the chief wildlife warden is on and strict action will be taken against the culprits, Assam forest minister Rockybul Hussain told IANS.
…. Read the original article  : Assam villagers poisoning elephants to prevent attacks.

Bombing Earth-bound asteroids may be a viable last resort, experts say

WASHINGTON – Researchers have said that bombing Earth-bound asteroids may be a viable option to avoid a collision.

And other scientists are suggesting that, despite previous assumptions, we wouldn’t need an impossibly powerful …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bombing Earth-bound asteroids may be a viable last resort, experts say.

Variety ‘may be the catalyst behind sexual evolution’

LONDON – Variety may well be the spice of sexual evolution that encourages a move away from asexual reproduction, according to a study from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada.

The study shows that a species of rotifer that reproduces both sexually and asexually, Brachionus calyciflorus, opts …. Source  : Variety ‘may be the catalyst behind sexual evolution’.

West lifestyle ‘plundering natural resources from tropics at record levels’

LONDON – A WWF report has revealed the extent to which modern Western lifestyles are plundering natural resources from the tropics at record levels.

The latest Living Planet report also showed that Earth’s population is using the equivalent of 1.5 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How young galaxies can grow gently

WASHINGTON – Galaxies often collide and then merge to form larger systems and this process is certainly an important growth mechanism. However, an additional way has been proposed so that they grow in a gentler manner.

A European team of astronomers has used ESO’s Very Large …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How young galaxies can grow gently.

Eyetracker software to prevent drivers from nodding off at the wheel

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Ilmenau, Germany, have developed an assistant system that tracks a driver’s eye movements and issues a warning before the driver has an …. Read the original article  : here.

Soft drink could boost effects of anti-cancer drug

WASHINGTON – A popular lemon-lime soft drink could play an unexpected role in improving the effectiveness of an oral anticancer drug, experiments with an artificial stomach suggest.
The experiments produced evidence that patients will absorb more of the unnamed drug, tested in Phase I in clinical trials, when taken with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soft drink could boost effects of anti-cancer drug.

Bad jobs worse for mental health than joblessness

MELBOURNE – Having a bad job is worse for your mental health than not having one at all, new research suggests.

In the study, Australian National University (ANU), researchers found that people who remained unemployed were likely to be happier than those who gained …. Source  : Bad jobs worse for mental health than joblessness.

Nice guys actually get the girl in the end

LONDON – New research suggests that nice guys really do finish first when it comes to getting the girl.

According to psychologists, traits such as selflessness and altruism have become part of our genetic make-up because they were attractive to mates.

They [..] Read the original article: here.

Pine bark effective in relieving tinnitus symptoms

WASHINGTON – Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is effective in relieving tinnitus symptoms by improving blood flow in the inner ear, says a new study.

Tinnitus is a hearing condition that causes … Read : Pine bark effective in relieving tinnitus symptoms.

Compound in carrots, peppers boosts brain health

WASHINGTON – A plant compound found in carrots, peppers, celery, olive oil, peppermint, rosemary and chamomile helps reduce age-related inflammation in the brain and memory deficits, according to a new study conducted in mice.

The compound luteolin reduces age-related inflammation in the brain … Original source on Gaea Times at : Compound in carrots, peppers boosts brain health.

New ‘control app’ to stop users from “Sexting” on their iPhones

LONDON – Consumer electronics company Apple has been awarded a patent to stop users from “Sexting”, or sending inappropriate message from their phones.

The “control application” works by ensuring that those who use it will not be able to send anything that uses suggestive …. Source article  : New ‘control app’ to stop users from “Sexting” on their iPhones.

Walking at least 6 miles per week ‘can reduce Alzheimer’s risk’

WASHINGTON – Want to keep your brain sharp in old age? Well, go for a stroll then, for a new study suggests that walking at least six miles per week may protect brain size and in turn, preserve your memory later in life.

“Brain size shrinks in late adulthood, which …. Original source  : Walking at least 6 miles per week ‘can reduce Alzheimer’s risk’.

Technophobia ’sprouts up while we are still in the womb’

LONDON – Scientists have revealed that the fear of technology or technophobia could be determined before a person is even born, when they are still in the womb.

University of Bath researchers said that the hormones we are exposed to in the womb can determine …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Technophobia ’sprouts up while we are still in the womb’.

Nicotine could play role in Alzheimer’s disease therapy

WASHINGTON – A team of neuroscientists has discovered that they may be able to eliminate debilitating side effects caused by a promising Alzheimer’s drug by stimulating the brain’s nicotine receptors.

Hey-Kyoung Lee, associate professor in the University of Maryland Department of Biology and her team, …. Read the original article  : Nicotine could play role in Alzheimer’s disease therapy.

Silicon ‘can radically increase capacity of lithium-ion batteries’

WASHINGTON – Rice University and Lockheed Martin scientists have found that silicon can radically increase the capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

“The anode, or negative, side of today’s batteries is made of graphite, which works. It’s everywhere. But it’s maxed out. You can’t stuff …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Silicon ‘can radically increase capacity of lithium-ion batteries’.

Enzyme in saliva influences how we sense food texture

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that individuals’ perception of starch texture is shaped by variability in the activity of an oral enzyme known as salivary amylase.

“Differences in starch perception likely … Read more »».

Facebook keeps ‘deleted’ user photos for up to 30 months

SYDNEY – Social networking giant Facebook has been slammed for keeping deleted pictures of a profile up to 30 months after removing them.

It has admitted it had been keeping deleted photos for a ‘limited’ amount of time.

However, users who have kept the direct link to …. Original article  : Facebook keeps ‘deleted’ user photos for up to 30 months.

Brain imaging reveals how we learn from failure and success

WASHINGTON – In a new study, scientists have used brain imaging to reveal how people and animals learn from failure and success.

The team from Bristol University scanned the brains of players as they battled against an artificial opponent in a computer game.

In the game, each player took turns with the computer to … Read : Brain imaging reveals how we learn from failure and success.

Now, 3D body scanner to tell you if you’re overweight

LONDON – Tape measures and scales may soon become a thing of the past, as they would be replaced with a 3D body scanner.

The body volume index (BVI) takes a ‘photocopy’ of a patient’s body in just six seconds.

The seven-foot booth has 16 sensors and 32 …. Source article  : Now, 3D body scanner to tell you if you’re overweight.

Kids blindly trust things told to them, finds Indian-origin scientist’s study

WASHINGTON – The next time you tell your three-year-old a fantasy story make sure he knows it’s not real-as a new study has suggested that they tend to blindly trust things told to them.

Previous research has found that three-year-olds are a credulous bunch; they believe most things they’re told, and skepticism doesn’t kick in … Read : Kids blindly trust things told to them, finds Indian-origin scientist’s study.

Beefed-up muscles help kidney patients live longer

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that kidney disease patients are likely to live healthier and longer if they’ve beefed up their muscles.

The results have suggested that patients may benefit from pumping iron or taking medications to boost their lean body mass.

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute and his colleagues examined the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Beefed-up muscles help kidney patients live longer.

Four types of compulsive gamblers identified

WASHINGTON – A new study has identified four types of compulsive gamblers-a kind of behaviour that damages and harms personal, family and career-related goals.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Bellvitge (IDIBELL) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) have identified the symptoms of such gamblers as disorganised and emotionally unstable, poorly adapted, suffering from alcohol … Original article on : Four types of compulsive gamblers identified.

New insight into multitalented protein sheds light on HIV mysteries

WASHINGTON – National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a research method by which new insights into the infection process of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can be observed.

NIST scientists have glimpsed an important protein molecule’s behavior with unprecedented clarity.

The HIV protein known as Gag plays several …. Source article  : New insight into multitalented protein sheds light on HIV mysteries.

Scientists discover ‘dramatic flares, bursts from mysterious pulsar’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered dramatic flares and bursts of energy emanating from a weakly magnetised, slowly rotating pulsar.

The international team of astrophysicists who made the discovery believes that the source of the pulsar’s power may be hidden deep within its surface.

Pulsars, or neutron stars, are the collapsed remains of massive stars. Although they are … Read more »».

Earth’s temperature ‘depends on CO2 levels in atmosphere’

WASHINGTON – A new atmosphere-ocean climate modeling study has shown that the planet’s temperature ultimately depends on the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide and not only on water vapor and clouds.

The study conducted by Andrew Lacis and colleagues at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York examined the nature of Earth’s greenhouse …. Source article  : Earth’s temperature ‘depends on CO2 levels in atmosphere’.

Gene that prevents stem cells from turning cancerous identified

WASHINGTON – A research from Rockefeller University has dentified a gene that can inhibit stem cells from developing into cancer.

Having too many stem cells, or stem cells that live for too long, can increase the odds of developing cancer.

By identifying a mechanism that regulates programmed cell death in precursor cells for blood, or hematopoietic stem …. Read the original article  : here.

Social groups respond alike to common dangers: Study

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that response to a perceived danger is not different from one animal or human to another, as previously thought.

David Eilam and Rony Izhar of Tel Aviv University designed a study to investigate the anxieties experienced by an entire social group.

Using the natural predator-and-prey relationship between the barn owl and the …. Source article  : Social groups respond alike to common dangers: Study.

Why airplane food tastes so bland

LONDON – Ever wondered why food in airplanes always tastes so bland? Now, a new study at the University of Manchester tells you why.

The level of background noise affects both the intensity of flavour and the perceived crunchiness of foods, researchers have found. While louder noise reduced the reported sweetness or saltiness, it increased the …. Source article  : Why airplane food tastes so bland.

Bilingualism boosts brain prowess

WASHINGTON – A new study from the University of California, Los Angeles has revealed that the ability to speak multiple languages is associated with better mental capacities.

“Being able to use two languages and never knowing which one you’re going to use right now rewires your brain,” Discovery News quoted Ellen Bialystok of York University in …. Original source  : Bilingualism boosts brain prowess.

Bizarre female robo ‘croons by copying human singer’

LONDON – They can drive cars and probably even do household chores like humans, but a bizarre female robot can actually sing, by copying a human singer.

The life-sized robot, known as HRP-4, is able to ’sing’ using a synthesized voice technology that sounds and breathes like a human.

“This robot primarily utilises two technologies. One is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Children from broken homes ‘twice as likely to have emotional problems’

LONDON – A new study has revealed that children from broken families have double the chances of developing serious behavioural problems.

Researchers who tracked nearly 13,500 children from birth to age seven found that kids living with a single parent or stepparents are twice as likely of developing emotional problems, poor behaviour and hyperactivity.

Separately, the study …. Read the original article  : Children from broken homes ‘twice as likely to have emotional problems’.

Clear bright skies in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A day after a burst of fireworks brought the curtains down on the 19th Commonwealth Games, Delhiites woke up to a clear, bright sky Friday.

“Skies will remain clear throughout the day. Slightly higher level of humidity is expected,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
The minimum temperature was recorded … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Clear bright skies in Delhi.

A park between Yamuna and Taj is eyesore to conservationists

AGRA – Years ago, the Yamuna waters would lap gently against the base of the Taj Mahal. But an artificial park developed between the river and the Taj can endanger the 17th century monument as its foundation requires moisture, say worried conservationists.

The artificial park developed some years ago got inundated in the recent floods, … Read more : A park between Yamuna and Taj is eyesore to conservationists.

Solar-powered plane set for world tour

BEIJING – The team that built the first solar-powered plane is planning a round-the-world flight within two years, with a stopover in China, a media report Thursday said.

“We plan to stop in Hawaii, the US, a European country, Japan and probably China – it is a country that cannot be ignored,” said Bertrand … Original article on : Solar-powered plane set for world tour.

Skies clear, bright in Delhi as Games end

NEW DELHI – The skies in the capital remained clear and bright Thursday as the 19th Commonwealth Games came to a close.

The maximum temperature was 33.6 degrees Celsius, a notch above the average, while the minimum temperature settled at 22 degrees Celsius – three notches above the average for this time …. Source  : Skies clear, bright in Delhi as Games end.

Ocean asteroid impact could damage Earth’s protective ozone layer

LONDON – If a medium-sized asteroid were to land in the oceans a tsunami wouldn’t be the only worry, say scientists- the Earth’s ozone layer could be at risk too.

A new computer simulation suggests that the water vapour and sea salt thrown up by the impact could damage the protective …. Original article  : Ocean asteroid impact could damage Earth’s protective ozone layer.

Over-the-counter weight-reducing products can cause harm, may even kill

WASHINGTON – A new study has warned that ‘natural’ slimming therapies can have an adverse effect on users and may even kill.

The study of medical records in Hong Kong revealed 66 cases where people were apparently poisoned by a “natural” slimming therapy.

In eight cases the people became severely ill, and in one case the person …. Original source  : Over-the-counter weight-reducing products can cause harm, may even kill.

Exposure to chemical warfare agent linked to long-term heart damage

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that exposure to the chemical warfare agent sarin can lead to heart dysfunction.

Sarin is a chemical warfare agent belonging to class of compounds called organophosphates – the basis for insecticides, herbicides and nerve agents.

As an inhibitor of the nervous system enzyme acetylcholinesterase, sarin can cause convulsions, stoppage of breathing …. Original article  : Exposure to chemical warfare agent linked to long-term heart damage.

Robot punches humans to test pain thresholds

LONDON – Contrary to the first law of robotics, which states that ‘a robot may not injure a human being,’ a powerful robot in Slovenia has been hitting people over and over again in a bid to induce anything from mild to unbearable pain.

But the robo-battering is all in a good cause, insisted Borut Povse, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Expert casts doubts on results of ovarian cancer study

LONDON – The finding that women who received early chemotherapy for a recurrence of ovarian cancer did not live longer than those whose treatment is delayed needs to be reviewed, says an expert.

The study was published in The Lancet last month.

Now, Bradley Monk, gynaecologic oncologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Centre in Phoenix, Arizona …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Expert casts doubts on results of ovarian cancer study.

New IPCC report to focus on Asian monsoon issues

LONDON – A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) known as AR5, will focus on factors that materially affect people’s lives, such as the Asian monsoon.

The report will also look at aspects of climate change that might be irreversible, reports the BBC.

The recent review of the IPCC’s procedures, conducted by … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New IPCC report to focus on Asian monsoon issues.

Flying camp Pterosaurs ‘could soar 16,000 kms at a stretch’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that pterosaurs was the ultimate flying champ of the dinosaur era, and could clock up to 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometres) at a stretch.

The huge animals likely relied on updrafts of warm air and wind currents to achieve their record distances, said Michael Habib, a palaeontologist at Chatham University …. Original article  : Flying camp Pterosaurs ‘could soar 16,000 kms at a stretch’.

Fibromyalgia linked to restless legs syndrome

WASHINGTON – A new study discovered that adults with fibromyalgia, a medical disorder characterized wit chronic widespread pain, had a much higher prevalence and risk of restless legs (RLS) syndrome than healthy controls.

The study suggests that treating RLS may improve sleep and quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.

Results show that the prevalence of restless … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Fibromyalgia linked to restless legs syndrome.

Faint planet hidden in star’s glare revealed

WASHINGTON – University of Arizona’s scientists have found a way to see faint planets previously hidden in their star’s glare.

Installed on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, or VLT, atop Paranal Mountain in Chile, the new technology enabled an international team of astronomers to confirm the existence and orbital movement of Beta Pictoris b, … Original article on : Faint planet hidden in star’s glare revealed.

Squid studies shed light on hearing mechanisms in humans

WASHINGTON – New studies on the ordinary squid are providing clues about the origin and evolution of the sense of hearing.

T. Aran Mooney, a postdoctoral scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), has undertaken seminal investigations into the hearing of this seminal creature in the marine food web.

“Almost every type of marine organism feeds …. Read the original article  : Squid studies shed light on hearing mechanisms in humans.

Oily fish, blueberries, soy protein, vinegar and cinnamon aid memory

WASHINGTON – Scientists have for the first time discovered what effect multiple, rather than just single, foods with anti-inflammatory effects have on healthy individuals.

The results of a diet study show that bad cholesterol was reduced by 33 per cent, blood lipids by 14 per cent, blood pressure by 8 per cent and a risk …. Original source  : Oily fish, blueberries, soy protein, vinegar and cinnamon aid memory.

Could giving infants antibiotics trigger asthma?

WASHINGTON – Canadian medical researchers are conducting a 2.5-million-dollar study to answer whether giving antibiotics to infants in their first year of life triggers asthma and allergies that develop later on in childhood.

More than 50 percent of Canadian infants receive a prescription for antibiotics before they turn one year old, reports Discovery News.

The study aim … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Could giving infants antibiotics trigger asthma?.

Moving country could affect men’s libido

LONDON – Men should be careful when considering moving country, for a new study suggests that it could affect their libido and susceptibility to disease by changing their testosterone levels.

Sex hormones, such as testosterone and oestradiol, are involved in a number of … Original article on : Moving country could affect men’s libido.

How a moon can reveal a star’s weight

WASHINGTON – In several cases, the weight of a star can be measured directly, but if the star has a planet and that planet has a moon, then scientists can measure their sizes and orbits to learn about the star, according to a new study.

“I often get asked how astronomers …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How a moon can reveal a star’s weight.

Device that ‘makes you feel full’ may end your weight woes

LONDON – It’s the latest and probably the quickest way to lose weight – a plastic sleeve inserted in your tummy that makes you feel full.

The 2ft-long device, which can be inserted without an operation, has been shown to help the obese lose a fifth of their … Original article on : Device that ‘makes you feel full’ may end your weight woes.

‘Love map of the brain’ shows how heart rules the head

MELBOURNE – Being in love can spread electricity through your brain, literally, as a new study suggests.

A US scientist has shown that being in love can spark a torrent of electrical activity through the brain in one fifth of a second. Dr Stephanie Ortigue, … Original article on : ‘Love map of the brain’ shows how heart rules the head.

Whatever doesn’t kill us really can make us stronger

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that the age-old saying ‘whatever doesn’t kill you makes us stronger’ has some truth to it.

The University at Buffalo study examined a national sample of people who reported their lifetime history of adverse experiences and several measures of current mental health and well being.

Mark … Read : Whatever doesn’t kill us really can make us stronger.

Babies born using world’s first pre-IVF genetic screening study

WASHINGTON – Two women taking part in the world’s first controlled study of a comprehensive genetic screening test before IVF have given birth to healthy babies.

The babies, twin girls born in Germany in June and a singleton boy born in Italy in September, are the first deliveries …. Original article  : Babies born using world’s first pre-IVF genetic screening study.

Fearsome T.rex was a cannibal

WASHINGTON – In a surprising find, palaeontologists from the United States and Canada revealed that Tyrannosaurus rex, the most feared carnivore amongst dinosaurs, hunted its own species too sometimes.

Yale researcher Nick Longrich discovered especially large gouges in some dinosaur fossils. Given the age and location … Read more : Fearsome T.rex was a cannibal.

Hot day in store for Delhi

NEW DELHI – It was a warm and sunny morning in Delhi Saturday and the day temperature is expected to rise above the average, the weather office said.

The minimum temperature was three notches above normal at 21.8 degrees Celsius. The humidity level settled at 87 percent.
“Skies will remain clear with maximum temperature expected … Read more : Hot day in store for Delhi.

US kids go text crazy – average 3,339 texts a month

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s official: American teenagers are text-crazy.
A study released Friday by Nielsen found that US teenagers send an average of 3,339 texts every month, up 8 percent over last year.

The obsession with tapping out short messages on phones is even worse among teenage girls. They are sending an average of 4,050 …. Original source  : US kids go text crazy – average 3,339 texts a month.

Big challenge to get US on board biodiversity meet: Ramesh

NEW DELHI – It is a big challenge to get the US on board the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) despite the country being the biggest user of bio-resources in the world, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said here Friday.

“US is not a party to the CBD although it is the biggest user of … Read more : Big challenge to get US on board biodiversity meet: Ramesh.

Delhi has another warm day

NEW DELHI – It was yet another warm and humid day in Delhi Friday as the maximum temperature was a notch above average at 34.1 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature was 20.6 degrees Celsius, two notches above average for this time of the season, said an official of the India Meteorological Department.
The maximum humidity … Original article on : Delhi has another warm day.

Now, laser technology that destroys tumours using heat

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a technique that heats up and destroys kidney and liver tumours.

Physicians at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus are the first to use a technique known as MRI-guided laser ablation to heat up and destroy kidney and liver tumours.

So far, five patients have been …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, laser technology that destroys tumours using heat.

Drivers can be distracted by phone calls

LONDON – The dangers of using a phone while driving are well documented. But a driver can be distracted even if it’s the passenger who is talking on the phone.

Hearing one side of a phone conversation affects concentration more than listening to the entire chat, reports the Daily Mail.
Processing a ‘halfalogue’ is upto …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Drivers can be distracted by phone calls.

Bacteria found in yogurt turned into ’silver bullets’ to fight flu

LONDON – Scientists are hailing a breakthrough that could provide a cure for the common cold.

They have turned bacteria, normally found in yogurt, into ’silver bullets’ that can destroy viruses.esearchers have found that they can attach tiny studs of silver onto the surface of otherwise harmless bacteria, giving them the ability to destroy viruses.

They …. Original source  : Bacteria found in yogurt turned into ’silver bullets’ to fight flu.

Don’t blame greenhouse gas emissions on dairy cows

WASHINGTON – Dairy industry is responsible for only about 2.0 percent of all US greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report.

The study, led by the University of Arkansas in association with Michigan Technological University, measures the carbon footprint of a gallon of fluid milk from farm to table and uses 2007 and 2008 data …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Don’t blame greenhouse gas emissions on dairy cows.

Partly cloudy day in Delhi

NEW DELHI – After days of bright sunshine, Sunday morning was partly cloudy and the weatherman said it would be a pleasant day ahead.

“Partly cloudy skies are predicted throughout the day,” an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 34 degrees Celsius, one degree …. Source  : Partly cloudy day in Delhi.

Facebook, Twitter ‘encourage kids to spread gossip and insults’

LONDON – A leading headmaster in the UK has slammed social networking websites Facebook and Twitter for undermining kids’ moral development by rewarding the use of ‘inneuendo, half-truth and insult’.

John Newton, head of fee-paying Taunton School, Somerset, said that such websites pose a serious threat as they blur the lines between gossip and fact … Read more »».

Penguins killed by foxes in London Zoo

LONDON – Penguins and some other animals were killed by foxes in London Zoo, a media report said Saturday.

A probe report showed that 11 South African and rockhopper penguins were killed in a fox attack last year, telegraph.co.uk reported.
The zoo in London’s Regent’s Park now has 41 penguins.
Other victims … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Penguins killed by foxes in London Zoo.

Heavy, not modest, drinkers’ babies more likely to have birth defects

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that babies born to women who drink heavily during their first trimester of pregnancy are more likely to have birth defects, compared to the babies of mothers who abstained from alcohol.

However, kids born to moms who drink occasionally during pregnancy don’t have a higher risk of birth defects … Read : Heavy, not modest, drinkers’ babies more likely to have birth defects.

Scientists create system that ’simulates handwritten captchas’

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the Center for Unified Biometrics and Sensors are developing ways to simulate handwritten captchas.

University at Buffalo computer scientist Venu Govindaraju believes that this annoying 21st-century problem has a decidedly … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists create system that ’simulates handwritten captchas’.

Missouri researcher’s genus discovery is ‘once in a lifetime experience’

WASHINGTON – A new genus named Hondurodendron, which means “tree of Honduras”, has been discovered by a Missouri botanical garden researcher.

Dr. Carmen Ulloa, associate curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and co-authors Dr. Daniel L. Nickrent, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Dr. Caroline Whitefoord, The …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Missouri researcher’s genus discovery is ‘once in a lifetime experience’.

Now, cellphones to reveal emerging disease outbreaks

LONDON – Texting, browsing, playing games, taking directions, listening to music are the things you use your cellphone for. But now it can be used to fight diseases.

Cellphones would start a fight against diseases by relaying a telltale signature of illness to doctors … Read more : Now, cellphones to reveal emerging disease outbreaks.

Sex in space is a bad idea, find Oz scientists

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that babies would not develop properly in outer space.

Embryonic stem cells behave very differently outside the pull of Earth’s gravity, researchers suggest-a finding leading scientists to fret that procreation in space may be fraught with peril.

The microgravity that astronauts experience orbiting Earth on the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sex in space is a bad idea, find Oz scientists.

Nature and humans destroying aquatic food webs

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that humans and nature itself are making it tough for rivers to continue in their central role to support fish species.

Globally, rivers and streams are being drained due to human use and climate change. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Nature and humans destroying aquatic food webs.

New advances may hold key to fight preeclampsia

WASHINGTON – Scientists are set to develop a potential lab test to diagnose preeclampsia-a serious complication often requires premature delivery and is sometimes fatal to both mother and fetus.

Researchers led by a team at Brown University and …. Source  : New advances may hold key to fight preeclampsia.

Milk ‘drove Neolithic immigration of Middle Easterners to Europe’

BERLIN – New research has revealed that immigration from the Middle East to Europe was driven by the newcomers’ sophisticated culture, mastery of agriculture – and their miracle food, milk.

Archaeologist Birgit Srock is analysing a large Neolithic settlement in the Upper Franconia region of northern Bavaria, discovered by workers during the construction of a high-speed … Read : Milk ‘drove Neolithic immigration of Middle Easterners to Europe’.

Where dinos hung out

WASHINGTON – Scientists have determined that different species of North American dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period 65 million years ago occupied different environments separated by just a few miles.

Hadrosaurs or duck-billed dinosaurs, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Where dinos hung out.

iPhone rates Jolie as ‘hottest celeb’

LONDON – iPhone has launched a new application called Ugly Meter that rates people’s ugliness – and it has rated Angelina Jolie as the hottest celebrity.

The Ugly Meter lets users take a snap of a person’s face. It then analyses the “contours” of the face, and gives a score out of …. Source  : iPhone rates Jolie as ‘hottest celeb’.

Low dose of beta blockers can put patients at subsequent heart attack risk

WASHINGTON – A breakthrough study has revealed that majority of heart patients are not receiving drugs known as beta blockers, which increase their survival prospects, in required quantity.

For nearly 40 years, these drugs have been proven to increase patients’ survival prospects following …. Read the original article  : here.

New imaging technique sheds light on inflammation

WASHINGTON – Using an innovative new imaging technique, researchers at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine are studying how white blood cells (called neutrophils) respond to inflammation, and have revealed new targets to inhibit the response.

When the body is invaded by infection, the immune system counters … Read more »»».

Global warming could leave cities flattened

LONDON – With climate change taking its toll on Earth, rock avalanches and landslides have become more common in high mountain ranges over the last decade.

The collapses are caused by melting glaciers and permafrost, which remove the glue that binds steep mountain slopes together.

However, the … Read more >>.

Novel approach for rapid detection of unknown food pathogens

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a novel approach to automated detection and classification of harmful bacteria in food.

Researchers from the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the Bindley Bioscience Center at Purdue University have designed … Read : Novel approach for rapid detection of unknown food pathogens.

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.

Lucid dreams becoming frequent, shows study

LONDON – It is the stuff of a Hollywood movie: a dreamworld that can be manipulated at will. But for more and more of us, lucid dreams are now becoming frequent, and a reality.

In ‘Inception,’ Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page stroll through a dream world where they are able to bend streets into the … Read more : Lucid dreams becoming frequent, shows study.

Jealous of someone? You’ll end up paying more to be like them

WASHINGTON – People tend to pay more for products that evokes their envy-but that’s only when a positive, benign form of envy motivates them, a new study has suggested.

“Our studies showed that people who had been made envious of someone who owned an iPhone were willing to pay 80 Euros more on average,” wrote authors …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Jealous of someone? You’ll end up paying more to be like them.

Unicorn footage ‘a hoax’

LONDON – Video of a unicorn running though a wood has been exposed as an elaborate hoax to promote an upcoming exhibition on mythical creatures.

In an official statement, the Ontario Science Centre, in Toronto, Canada, claimed it had been sent the footage by a member of the public for analysis, reports the Sun.

But …. Source article  : Unicorn footage ‘a hoax’.

New graphene study could lead to improvements in bluetooth headsets

WASHINGTON – Scientists have successfully built and tested an amplifier made from graphene that could lead to more efficient circuits in electronic chips, such as those used in Bluetooth headsets and toll collection devices in cars.

Graphene, a single-atom thick carbon crystal, was first isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov.

The demonstration at UC … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New graphene study could lead to improvements in bluetooth headsets.

Vigilance against skin cancer may lead to vitamin D deficiency

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that vigilance against skin cancer can cause vitamin D deficiency.

Patients with basal cell nevus syndrome-which might lead to non-melanoma skin cancers-are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency if they take steps to protect themselves from sunlight.

“There is increasing concern that sun protection, recommended by dermatologists to …. Read the original article  : Vigilance against skin cancer may lead to vitamin D deficiency.

How seas and lakes may have once developed on Mars

WASHINGTON – Planetary Science Institute researchers have discovered a new explanation for how seas and lakes may have once developed on Mars.

J. Alexis Palmero Rodriguez, research scientist at PSI, has been studying the Martian northern lowlands region, which contains extensive sedimentary deposits that resemble the abyssal plains of Earth’s ocean floors. It is also like … Read more : How seas and lakes may have once developed on Mars.

Flour residues on stone tools suggest early humans ate a balanced diet

LONDON – Early humans, who were initially thought of as near total carnivores, ate ground flour 20,000 years before the dawn of agriculture, it has been found.

Flour residues recovered from 30,000-year-old grinding stones found in Italy, Russia and the Czech Republic point to widespread processing and consumption of plant grain.

“It’s another nail in the coffin … Original source on Gaea Times at : Flour residues on stone tools suggest early humans ate a balanced diet.

Handheld fertility device ‘as effective as IVF’

LONDON – A handheld fertility device, developed by former students of Cambridge University, is as effective as IVF for couples struggling to conceive, it has been claimed.

The DuoFertility system measures variations in body temperature to identify when a woman is most fertile.

The 495-pound device, dubbed the ’sat-nav of the fertility world’, is claimed to be … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Handheld fertility device ‘as effective as IVF’.

Eczema cream meant to soothe ‘makes the condition worse’

LONDON – A cheap emollient cream meant to soothe the irritated skin of eczema sufferers may actually worsen their condition.

According to tests, a detergent contained in the aqueous cream BP thins the skin and actually causes irritation.

Although aqueous cream has been prescribed for millions of sufferers from childhood, it is the first time research … Read more >>.

Loss of interest in sex driving 50-plus to divorce

LONDON – Many aged over 50 years ending their marriages blame a lack of love and intimacy in their relationship.

Figures show that 28 percent said they divorced because their partner was emotionally cold and distant, while a quarter cited a loss of interest in sex.
The research also found that 27 percent said they …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Singapore scientists first to discover important genes in human stem cells

LONDON – A team of scientists from Singapore has discovered the most important genes in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), a crucial breakthrough in discovering how human stem cells work.

The research, led by the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and the Institute of … Read more : Singapore scientists first to discover important genes in human stem cells.

Violent TV or video games ‘promote aggressive behavior in teens’

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that watching violent films, TV programmes or video games desensitises teenagers, blunts their emotional responses to aggression and potentially promotes aggressive attitudes and behaviour.

Lead author Dr Jordan Grafman, senior … Read : Violent TV or video games ‘promote aggressive behavior in teens’.

Clenching muscles ‘increases willpower’

WASHINGTON – Unable to quit smoking due to lack of willpower? Well, a new research suggests that firming muscles can shore up self-control.

Authors Iris W. Hung from National University of Singapore and Aparna A. Labroo from University of Chicago studied participants from range of self-control dilemmas …. Read the original article  : Clenching muscles ‘increases willpower’.

Lack of vitamin D ‘puts IBD patients at greater risk of osteoporosis’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that vitamin D deficiency in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) makes them prone to osteoporosis, osteopenia and increases the rate of abnormal bone density.

The study conducted on 161 IBD patients suggested that, reduction in bone density with a diagnosis …. Source  : Lack of vitamin D ‘puts IBD patients at greater risk of osteoporosis’.

Personal information from Facebook passed on to ad firms

LONDON – Facebook was hit by another privacy row after it emerged that millions of pieces of personal information from the site were being shared without users’ consent.

Vast quantities of data, including the names of individual members and their online ‘friends’, were passed to internet ad firms, with tens of millions of people … Original source on Gaea Times at : Personal information from Facebook passed on to ad firms.

Rubbish on Facebook may be more worthwhile than we think

WASHINGTON – Superficial contacts on Facebook, seemingly needless comments, and boring status updates may be more valuable than we think.

A new report from the National IT User Centre has predicted that social media will ultimately lead to more individual entrepreneurs.

Many people are critical of those who collect hundreds of so-called friends on Facebook. Often the … Read : Rubbish on Facebook may be more worthwhile than we think.

Western diet makes sepsis worse

WASHINGTON – An experimental study in mice has shown has shown that high fat diets cause a dramatic immune system overreaction to sepsis-a condition of systemic bacterial infection.

The study has shown that a diet high in saturated fat, sugars and cholesterol greatly exaggerates the inflammatory response to sepsis.

“Mortality due to sepsis in morbidly obese subjects … Read more »»».

Soy intake lowers breast cancer recurrence in hormone-sensitive cancers

WASHINGTON – A new research found that post-menopausal breast cancer patients with hormone-sensitive cancers who consumed high amounts of soy isoflavones had a lower risk of recurrence.

Soy isoflavones are similar to estrogen in chemical structure and may stimulate or inhibit estrogen-like action in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soy intake lowers breast cancer recurrence in hormone-sensitive cancers.

Why cocaine is so addictive

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found how cocaine corrupts the brain and becomes addictive.

These findings are the first to connect activation of specific neurons to alterations in cocaine reward.

The results may help researchers in developing new ways of treating those addicted to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Why men are more vulnerable to alcoholism

WASHINGTON – It is well known that men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women. However, the reason behind this difference in susceptibility has remained unclear.

Now, a new study has revealed that dopamine may be an … Read more >>>.

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.

All-electric spintronic semiconductor devices created

LONDON – A team of physicists has come closer to making electron spin the universal language of computation – they are the first to develop a simple, all-electric method to both generate and detect spin currents within a standard semiconductor.

Spintronics devices could use electron spin to perform both operations, promising to speed up a computer’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : All-electric spintronic semiconductor devices created.

Sparrows eavesdrop to distinguish good neighbours from bad

LONDON – Scientists have found that sparrows can identify troublemakers by eavesdropping on them.

A study has shown that the birds can tell, “who started it” in a neighbouring squabble over territory, even if they are not directly involved and also respond aggressively to the songs of the intruders but not to those of the “victims”.

The … Read more >>>.

Synthetic DNA spray tracks burglars

LONDON – A novel device that sprays burglars with synthetic DNA, which allows police to track them down, is being deployed in restaurants and offices.

The spray is activated whenever a robbery takes places, and covers the suspects with the synthetic DNA as they are making their getaway.
It can only be seen under ultra …. Read the original article  : Synthetic DNA spray tracks burglars.

Protein that may fight against inflammatory disease identified

LONDON – A protein that may be a key therapy for many inflammatory diseases, including those affecting premature babies, has been identified by a husband and wife research team from Melbourne, Australia.

Drs Marcel and Claudia Nold from the Monash Institute of Medical Research, describe how a protein interleukin 37 (IL-37) reacts when an inflammatory response …. Original source  : Protein that may fight against inflammatory disease identified.

Women 14pc more likely to survive trauma than men

WASHINGTON – A new Johns Hopkins study has suggested that women who have been severely injured are 14 percent more likely to survive than similarly injured men.

According to the researchers, the difference may be due to the negative impact of male sex hormones on a traumatized immune system.

Both men and women have androgens (male sex … Original article on : Women 14pc more likely to survive trauma than men.

Potential therapeutic target across a range of cancer types found

LONDON – Researchers have found a common link among several malignant tumor types in all grades of cancer.

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in collaboration with investigators of the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) of France led by Nicolae Ghinea, conducted the study.

This breakthrough may ultimately provide a new diagnostic or … Read : Potential therapeutic target across a range of cancer types found.

World’s smallest on-chip low-pass filter to revolutionize wireless communication

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have designed the world’s smallest on-chip low-pass filter which is 1,000 times smaller than existing off-chip filters.

A low-pass filter is a circuit that allows low-frequency signals to pass through while reducing unwanted high-frequency signals from passing through.

The new filters occupy a small area on integrated circuit chips, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Daughters of obese fathers ‘more likely to develop diabetes-like disease’

LONDON – A new study has revealed that obese fathers may be putting their daughters at risk for diabetes-like diseases.

‘Epigenetic’ chemical tweaks to the genes alter how they are expressed in the offspring, according to the study at University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Margaret Morris, a researcher in obesity and diabetes, and her … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Daughters of obese fathers ‘more likely to develop diabetes-like disease’.

Asia ‘most vulnerable to climate change’

LONDON – A new study states that the teeming plains of Asia are at highest risk from climate change.

Maplecroft, a British risk analysis firm, produced the Climate Change Vulnerability Index, noted that though Africa is often regarded as the most vulnerable continent, Asia has taken the top spot more recently.

The firm sourced data from more …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Asia ‘most vulnerable to climate change’.

Dopamine model could aid treatment of schizophrenia, drug addiction

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have succeeded in creating a model of the way the brain releases dopamine – the model could be used to understand drug addiction and in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Dopamine is involved in a number of processes that control the way we behave. If the action results in …. Original source  : Dopamine model could aid treatment of schizophrenia, drug addiction.

Climate change may result in tipping point for populations, not just species

LONDON – Researchers have indicated that as the Earth’s climate gets warmer, species are expected to shift their geographical ranges away from the equator or to higher elevations.

“This study illustrates the critical need for long-term research to address our most pressing ecological challenges,” Nature quoted Saran Twombly, program director in the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s …. Read the original article  : Climate change may result in tipping point for populations, not just species.

Why some people excel at riding bikes or tying a tie

WASHINGTON – A researcher has explained as to why some people may excel at riding a bike, tying a tie, or playing the piano, but the same people may find it difficult to explain or teach those skills to someone else.

These motor skills are learned in one part of the brain, whereas classroom instruction and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why some people excel at riding bikes or tying a tie.

Gene therapy to brain may treat major depression

WASHINGTON – Researchers at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have said that animal and human data suggest gene therapy to the brain may be able to treat patients with major depression who do not respond to traditional drug treatment.

The Science Translational Medicine study demonstrated that a brain protein known as p11 in a single, …. Original source  : Gene therapy to brain may treat major depression.

Penguins too ‘have gay flings’

LONDON – A new study has revealed that king penguins do not form long-term homosexual pairs despite same-sex “flirting”.

Researchers found that over a quarter of the birds in one colony displayed in same-sex pairs, yet only two pairs bonded by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Penguins too ‘have gay flings’.

Autistic people ‘more likely to be taken in by magic tricks, illusions’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that people with autism spectrum disorder are actually more likely to be taken in by the vanishing ball trick, where a magician pretends to throw a ball in the air but actually hides it in his hand.

In the trick, the magician looks up while the ball remains concealed …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

A hormone to help you live longer, but only if you are rich!

LONDON – If a new study is to be believed, a hormone called DHEAS makes you live longer – but only if you are wealthy enough.

In the meantime, leading a more fulfilling life could have a similar effect, says Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who led the research.

Higher levels of this hormone, secreted by the … Original article on : A hormone to help you live longer, but only if you are rich!.

In 20 yrs, ‘human brain and memory backup might be stored on hard disk!’

LONDON – A top scientist has claimed that in the next two decades, people will be able to back up the human brain including all of the memories.

Award-winning Raymond Kurzweil, 62, told 500 guests at a sponsored ‘future talk’ event in Vienna, Austria, that the human brain backup was now already technically possible.

“I believe that … Original source on Gaea Times at : In 20 yrs, ‘human brain and memory backup might be stored on hard disk!’.

Black rice may relieve inflammation caused by allergies, asthma

WASHINGTON – Scientists have reported that black rice – a little-known variety of the grain – may help soothe the inflammation involved in allergies, asthma, and other diseases.

Bran is the outer husk of the grain, which is removed during the processing of brown rice to produce the familiar white rice. Those experiments, which were done … Read more »».

Harm reduction ciggies ‘more harmful than conventional brands’

WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that ‘harm reduction cigarettes’, marketed by tobacco companies as safer than conventional brands, could in fact, be more harmful.

Harm reduction cigarettes are made using complex filters or by genetically altering tobacco plants to reduce nicotine concentration.

Stem cell scientists at the University of California, Riverside have found that even …. Original source  : Harm reduction ciggies ‘more harmful than conventional brands’.

Car-travel in longer run hikes global temperatures more than air travel

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that driving a car increases global temperatures in the long run more than making the same long-distance journey by air.

However, in the short run travelling by air has a larger adverse climate impact because airplanes strongly affect short-lived warming processes at high altitudes.

Jens Borken-Kleefeld and colleagues used a … Read more >>>.

Pakistani office-goers waste maximum time on Facebook

ISLAMABAD – Facebook is right on top of the list of activities on which office-goers in Pakistan waste their time, a survey said Friday.

The Daily Times undertook a survey to find out how Pakistanis kill time in office. It showed that besides gossiping on the office premises, there are a slew of web-based applications …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistani office-goers waste maximum time on Facebook.

Bio-plastics ‘aren’t necessarily greener than oil-based relatives’

WASHINGTON – Biopolymers are more eco-friendly, but farming and energy-intense chemical processing means they are dirtier to produce than petroleum-derived plastics, according to a new study.

University of Pittsburgh researchers suggest that biopolymers are not necessarily better for the environment than their petroleum-based relatives and that traditional plastics can be less environmentally taxing to produce.

Michaelangelo Tabone … Read more »»».

Now, a 3D molecular view of the mysterious egg-and-sperm encounter

WASHINGTON – The fundamental biological event of an egg combining with a sperm to create new life has always been an obscure one, but now researchers have been able to describe the complete molecular process in a three-dimensional structure.

Researchers at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have created a 3D structure of how sperm binds … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, a 3D molecular view of the mysterious egg-and-sperm encounter.

‘Goatsucker’ chupacabras monster ‘is as much victim as villain’

WASHINGTON – For a long time, chupacabras – a hairless, fanged animal – has been labelled as a monster that attacked and drank the blood of livestock.

But University of Michigan biologist Barry Oconnor believes that chupacabras is as much victim as a villain. Oconnor reveals that a tiny, eight-legged creature turns a healthy, wild animal …. Original source  : ‘Goatsucker’ chupacabras monster ‘is as much victim as villain’.

Understanding efficacy of current drugs and paving way for new ones

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Institute of Molecular Biophysics at Florida State University and researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah are close to understanding why these drugs have become less effective – and how new drugs might take their place.

“Resistance to drugs is a fundamental problem that develops …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Understanding efficacy of current drugs and paving way for new ones.

1,400-year-old pyramid ‘used for ritual sacrifices’

WASHINGTON – Archaeologists have found remains of five females who may have been ritually sacrificed in a 1,400-year-old flat-topped pyramid in the Lamayaeque region’s southern Jequetepeque Valley.

But it’s the signs of life that make a half-excavated Peruvian pyramid of the Moche culture stand out, archaeologists say.

“Often these pyramidal mounds were built as mortuaries …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Scientists solve mystery of massive, not-so-bright large star

LONDON – Astronomers have been baffled over an exceptionally massive black hole that is travelling around a massive star in an unusually tight orbit. Also odd, the star is not as bright as it should be.

Now a Northwestern University research team has produced a model of the system’s evolutionary history and formation that explains all …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Scientists one step closer to universal flu vaccine

LONDON – Researchers at Scripps Research Institute in la Jolla, California, teamed up with Peter Palese and colleagues at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York to test a protein that works against viruses from every flu family that attacks people.

These included three pandemic viruses (H1, H2 and H3), three others that attack occasionally (H6, … Read more : Scientists one step closer to universal flu vaccine.

Low-salt advice based on spurious science, say experts

SYDNEY – Scientists have slammed spurious science underlying advice that minimizing salt consumption lowers blood pressure, insisting it does not recognize the complex role of sodium in the body.

As Australian authorities consider slashing salt recommendations to even lower levels, the most comprehensive survey of salt intake in the US found consumption there had not changed …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Evolving’ malaria-transmitting mosquito ‘to complicate disease control efforts’

WASHINGTON – The major malaria-transmitting mosquito species, Anopheles gambiae, is evolving into two separate species with different traits, a development that could both complicate malaria control efforts and potentially require new disease prevention methods, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have found.

Anopheles gambiae is the most common vector of human malaria in sub-Saharan … Read more : ‘Evolving’ malaria-transmitting mosquito ‘to complicate disease control efforts’.

Astronomers develop new way to weigh planets

WASHINGTON – A new method to weight planets in our Solar System has been developed by an international CSIRO-led team of astronomers-using radio signals from the small spinning stars called pulsars.

“This is first time anyone has weighed entire planetary systems – planets with their moons and rings,” said team leader Dr David Champion from Germany’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Astronomers develop new way to weigh planets.

Kashmir gets season’s first snowfall, early winter chill

SRINAGAR – The Kashmir Valley received the season’s first snowfall in the tourist resort of Pahalgam Friday. As the minimum temperature in Srinagar dropped all of a sudden, the early winter chill took people by surprise and caused many to scamper for the warmth of the all-enveloping phiran.

“The first snowfall of the season was …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kashmir gets season’s first snowfall, early winter chill.

India-origin scientist’s findings may hold key to novel malaria vaccines

WASHINGTON – Out of the 72 molecular switches that control the three key stages in the life cycle of the malaria parasite, over a third of these switches can be disrupted in some way, an Indian-origin researcher has found.

The research by the University of Nottingham and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute researchers is a significant … Read : India-origin scientist’s findings may hold key to novel malaria vaccines.

Oz study links snoring to brain damage

SYDNEY – Latest Australian research indicates that snoring and troubled nights could be a red flag for brain damage occurring during sleep.

Brain scans of 60 people, aged in their mid-40s and recently diagnosed with a common sleep disorder, have shown a ‘decreased amount of grey matter’ when compared to healthy sleepers.

The damage was seen in … Original article on : Oz study links snoring to brain damage.

Study suggests it is easier to rewire younger brains

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that it is easier to rewire the brain in the early stages of life, however, in the later stages; it is difficult, but not impossible.

The paper from MIT neuroscientists, in collaboration with Alvaro Pascual-Leone at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, has shed light on how the brain … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Study suggests it is easier to rewire younger brains.

Women really are more generous than men

LONDON – Women really are more generous, for a new study has found that they are significantly more likely to make a donation to charity.

Researchers at the Indiana University have found that women across nearly every income level give significantly more to charity than men-in some cases twice as much.

The researchers studied the donating patterns …. Read the original article  : here.

Smart people drink more alcohol: Study

WASHINGTON – The next time you feel tempted to enjoy an extra glass of wine, consider it as a reflection of your intelligence, says a new study.

In the National Child Development Study in the UK and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in the US, childhood intelligence was measured before the age of 16.

It …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Smart people drink more alcohol: Study.

Sexsomnia runs in the family, says expert

SYDNEY – Scientists at Victoria University have found world-first evidence that sexsomnia – the bizarre act of having sex while asleep – could be genetic.

In his 16 years as a sleep expert, Gerard Kennedy, an associate professor in psychology, has met a man, who an hour after falling asleep would roll over and begin “rough, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sexsomnia runs in the family, says expert.

Hamster study shows cholesterol-lowering drug shrinks enlarged prostates

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers found that a cholesterol-lowering drug reduced the enlarged prostates of hamsters to the same extent as a drug commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Together, the drugs worked even better, say researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston and their colleagues.

“We don’t know the mechanism, but the results … Read more »».

Scientists discover risk gene for severe heart disease

WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified a common variant of the cardiovascular heat shock protein gene, HSPB7, which was found to increase risk for dilated cardiomyopathy by almost 50pc.

Klaus Stark and Christian Hengstenberg of the University of Regensburg have led the research.

Per year, about 6 in 100,000 individuals develop dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), with a …. Read the original article  : Scientists discover risk gene for severe heart disease.

Maoist hotbed Bastar gets 3G coverage

RAIPUR – Public sector telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Friday launched its much-awaited third generation (3G) services in Chhattisarh’s Bastar region, considered to be India’s nerve centre of Maoist militancy.

“It’s a proud moment for me to declare that BSNL has begun its 3G services in Bastar from today. The people of Bastar …. Source article  : Maoist hotbed Bastar gets 3G coverage.

Scientists solve the ‘annoying wet dog shake’ mystery

WASHINGTON – Seeing a dog shake and shimmy after a bath is a common sight – and now scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have figured how fast a sopping wet pooch must shimmy to dry himself off.

They discovered that the smaller the …. Read the original article  : Scientists solve the ‘annoying wet dog shake’ mystery.

Scientists discover planets around elderly binary star

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a planetary system consisting of at least two massive Jupiter-like planets orbiting the extremely close binary star system NN Serpentis.

The discovery was made by an international consortium of astronomers, including undergraduate and graduate students at The University …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists discover planets around elderly binary star.

Dogs can recognize their owners’ faces: Study

LONDON – A new study has shown that dogs rely on seeing their owners’ faces in order to recognise them.

The researchers also measured how much dogs prefer to gaze at and follow their owners, rather than a stranger.

The team described how dogs had difficultly recognising their human … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dogs can recognize their owners’ faces: Study.

Worms offer clues to declining fertility with age in women

WASHINGTON – New ways that may help maintain fertility in women who want to delay bearing a child may not be too far, as Princeton scientists have discovered genes responsible for controlling reproductive life span in worms.

They …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Teens’ sleeping patterns a clue to mental health risk

MELBOURNE – The sleeping patterns of teenagers can provide a clue to their longer-term risk of developing depression or bipolar disorder, say scientists.

Erratic sleeping patterns were an often overlooked feature of “basically all mood disorders and all psychiatric disorders”, explained Naomi Rogers of the University of …. Original source  : Teens’ sleeping patterns a clue to mental health risk.

Today’s 70-yr-olds ’smarter than their predecessors’

WASHINGTON – A new study reveals that 70-year-olds today do far better in intelligence tests than their predecessors.

The research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, involves a large proportion of 70-year-olds from Gothenburg, Sweden, who have been …. Read the original article  : Today’s 70-yr-olds ’smarter than their predecessors’.

Coming soon: Body armour that is tougher than bullet proof Kevlar

WASHINGTON – It’s light, cheap and it is stronger than the previous record holder, bulletproof Kevlar – it’s a new kind of material that could lead to more economical and even printable body armour.

Scientists in Israel have developed the hardest organic material known to man. The …. Original source  : Coming soon: Body armour that is tougher than bullet proof Kevlar.

Compact fluorescent energy saving lamp ‘better than incandescent bulbs’

WASHINGTON – Empa researchers have investigated the ecobalances of various household light sources – and the compact fluorescent lamp, commonly known as the energy saving lamp is the clear winner.

Although the compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) faced much criticism initially, when the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Compact fluorescent energy saving lamp ‘better than incandescent bulbs’.

Study finds similarities in art improvisation techniques of then and now

WASHINGTON – A thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, shows that many old manuscripts were used by the organists of the day in the same way that the jazz musicians of our time use CDs – as a way of learning how other musicians play.

Senior … Read more »».

Now, Green Carbon Centre that could recycle CO2 to lower eco footprint

LONDON – Rice University researchers have created a Green Carbon Center to bring the benefits offered by oil, gas, coal, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other energy sources and will also provide a means to recycle carbon dioxide into useful products.

“The key is to turn … Original article on : Now, Green Carbon Centre that could recycle CO2 to lower eco footprint.

Orissa lowers alert as cyclone crosses Myanmar coast

BHUBANESWAR – Storm warning signals in Orissa were lowered Saturday as the cyclonic storm ‘GIRI’ moved northwards crossing the Myanmar coast and weakened, officials said here.

“It moved northeastwards and weakened,” an official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told IANS. It had formed early this week over the northeastern part of Bay of Bengal.
The … Read more >>.

Scorpion sting could be used to stop heart bypass failures

LONDON – Researchers have said that an ingredient in a scorpion’s sting could be used to stop heart bypasses failing.

Margatoxin, from the venom of the Central American bark scorpion, proved effective in preventing a complication.

New blood cells can grow inside blood vessels, restricting blood flow and … Read more : Scorpion sting could be used to stop heart bypass failures.

Our brains, not hearts, make us fall in love: Scientists

WASHINGTON – Remember the expression ‘losing your heart to someone’? Well you might have lost your brain instead, according to a new study that claims it’s your brain and not your heart that makes you fall in love.

Stephanie Ortigue at Syracuse University said that falling in love … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Our brains, not hearts, make us fall in love: Scientists.

Indian neutrino lab to have world’s biggest magnet

LONDON – India is set to start work on a 250-million-dollar underground laboratory, called the Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO), which will be built in the Bodi West Hills Reserved Forest in the state of Tamil Nadu.

INO will be made of 50,000 tonnes of magnetised iron, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Indian neutrino lab to have world’s biggest magnet.

Sunny morning in Delhi but rains likely

NEW DELHI – It was a sunny morning in Delhi Saturday but the weatherman said the city could see light showers in the evening.

“Some parts of the capital may receive light showers towards the evening. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department …. Source  : Sunny morning in Delhi but rains likely.

Custody row over Italian-speaking bird in Britain

LONDON – A parrot that can sing and speak Italian is at the centre of a bitter custody row in Britain, a media report said Saturday.

The bird is a children’s favourite at a park in Harlow, Essex. But Angelo Ferlazzo, 50, claims the parrot belongs to him, express.co.uk reported.
He said he taught the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Custody row over Italian-speaking bird in Britain.

Surfer killed in shark attack off California coast

LOS ANGELES – A surfer has been killed after being bitten by a shark while body boarding off a beach at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, the Santa Maria Times reported Friday.

The report said the victim was a college student, but gave no other identifying details.
The Surf Beach where the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Commonwealth award to Gujarat department

GANDHINAGAR – The Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) of the water supply department here has been awarded Commonwealth’s CAPAM biannual international award, an official release issued here said Friday said.

The award was presented in 2010 in the category of novel policy decisions, developing work culture and involving people’s participation.
The award has been … Read more : Commonwealth award to Gujarat department.

Chandrasekhar will always inspire students: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said the works of Nobel prize winner Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar will always inspire young scientists all over the world.

In a message to the scientist’s wife Lalitha Chandrasekhar on the birth centenary of the astrophysicist, the prime minister said Chandrasekhar’s achievements in the world of science remain a … Read more »»».

Wild dolphins perform as well as captive cousins

LONDON – Wild dolphins can perform as well as captive cousins.
These remarkable creatures are not doing it for human audience but themselves.

In an incredible discovery, a group of six wild bottlenose dolphins have taught themselves to ‘walk’ backwards on the water using their tails.
Marine biologists say the craze is spreading through the … Read more »»».

Switching personality sometimes may be good for your mental health

WASHINGTON – Want to feel good about yourself? Try switching your personality, suggests a new study.

Wake Forest University psychologist William Fleeson found the idea of ‘being true to yourself’ often means acting counter to your personality traits.

Because authenticity predicts a variety of positive psychological outcomes, Fleeson says his research can help people see they … Read more >>>.

Compound used to treat nicotine addiction may also fight alcoholism

WASHINGTON – A new study has demonstrated that a plant-derived compound that is used to treat nicotine addiction also has significant effects against alcohol addiction.

Scientists from South Dakota State University are now investigating whether the compound may offer lasting treatment against alcohol relapse, craving, and perhaps alcohol-nicotine co-addiction as well.

“Alcohol and tobacco smoking are the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New software adds realistic changes in animated characters’ skin colour

LONDON – Even the animated faces would now look more real, thanks to a new software that adds realistic changes in skin colouring to animated characters.

The colour of our faces depends on the concentration of melanin in the skin, but it also alters with our expressions and emotions because of changes in blood flow.

Drinking, … Read more : New software adds realistic changes in animated characters’ skin colour.

Evidence of giant asteroid impact that occurred 300mn yrs ago in Australia

MELBOURNE – An Aussie scientist has discovered evidence of a major asteroid impact that occurred near the Queensland-South Australia border more than 300 million years ago.

The asteroid, which produced a shock zone at least 80km wide, could be the second-largest asteroid ever found in Australia.

University of Queensland researcher Dr Tongu Uysal discovered the asteroid impact … Read : Evidence of giant asteroid impact that occurred 300mn yrs ago in Australia.

Using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube ‘refreshes deskbound employees’

MELBOURNE – A new Melbourne University research has concluded that Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, as well as music and online video sites like YouTube, are the most productive ways employees can relax at work.

Searching for information about hobbies, reading online news, playing online games and checking personal email was also likely to …. Source  : Using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube ‘refreshes deskbound employees’.

Difficult-to-read fonts ‘can boost learning’

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Princeton University suggest that difficult-to-read fonts make for better learning.

They employed volunteers to learn made-up information about different types of aliens – and found that those reading harder fonts recalled more when tested 15 minutes later.

They argue that schools could boost results by simply changing the font used in their basic …. Read the original article  : Difficult-to-read fonts ‘can boost learning’.

Rohtang Pass to reopen Tuesday

SHIMLA – The Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh, closed due to heavy snowfall accumulated since Friday, is likely to reopen by Tuesday, an official said Sunday.

The Pass is located at 13,050 feet above sea level in Kullu district.
Kullu Deputy Commissioner B.M. Nanta told IANS that road connectivity to Keylong, the district headquarters of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rats cope with the cold just like humans

WASHINGTON – When winter arrives, Australian bush rats behave much the same as their larger, human counterparts, according to a new study.

The study revealed that rats grow a thicker fur coat and can actually lower their body temperature to compensate for a colder environment, reports Wired.com.

The University of Sydney study was conducted to determine whether …. Read the original article  : here.

Wolf nannies shorten male pups’ sex lives: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that non-breeding wolves that help raise pups ultimately shorten the sex lives of the male pups when they grow up.

“The negative impact to males was certainly not what we expected to find,” Wired.com quoted Amanda Sparkman of the Trent University, as saying.

The work could help conservationists maintain reintroduced … Original source on Gaea Times at : Wolf nannies shorten male pups’ sex lives: Study.

Putting holiday plans on Facebook, an open invitation to burglars

LONDON – If you advertised your holiday plans on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter about your exact location and your home gets burgled while you were away-you may face a crackdown from the insurance agency.

Insurance companies have decided to take information being put social networking sites into account when analysing claims.

Research into …. Read the original article  : Putting holiday plans on Facebook, an open invitation to burglars.

IVF breakthrough offers fresh hope to childless couples

MELBOURNE – With the launch of a new technique, scientists are set to revolutionise IVF treatment in Australia and offer fresh hope to childless couples.

In a month’s time, patients will be able to access technology that screens every chromosome in their embryos for defects that could prevent pregnancy or result in miscarriage.

Only eight to 10 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New discovery offers hope to sufferers of osteoarthritis

WASHINGTON – Lubricin, a synovial fluid glycoprotein, reduces wear to bone cartilage, a team of researchers in North Carolina has discovered.

This result has implications for the treatment of sufferers of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the [..] Read the original article: here.

Better explosive detectors on the anvil

WASHINGTON – Christine Mahoney and a team of scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Maryland have been working on designing explosive detectors that can stop the threat of terrorist-based attacks in the form of explosives or explosive-based devices.

“Our … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Better explosive detectors on the anvil.

‘Near human’ bots to ‘perform surgeries, harvest crops’

WASHINGTON – The military’s blue-sky research arm, Darpa, is working to launch a major push that’d revolutionize robotic capabilities and put bots pretty much everywhere, from hospitals to dude ranches to “explosive atmospheres.”

Working along with four other agencies, including the National Institutes …. Original article  : ‘Near human’ bots to ‘perform surgeries, harvest crops’.

Sunny morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – The national capital saw a sunny morning Sunday and the weatherman said there would be a nip in the air towards the evening.

According to the met office, the city would see mist in the morning in the coming days though it would be relatively warm in the daytime.
“Days ahead will … Read more >>.

Mercury below freezing point in Himachal after snowfall

SHIMLA – Widespread rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh brought down the mercury Saturday with Kalpa village in Kinnaur district recording a minimum temperature below freezing point, a weather department official said.

“Kalpa recorded a low of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. It was the coldest place in the state,” meteorological office Director Manmohan Singh told …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mercury below freezing point in Himachal after snowfall.

How H1N1 is different from other viruses as a respiratory illness

WASHINGTON – A new study has found distinguishing characteristics of the H1N1 virus in how it affects respiratory illness.

Phil Chan, of the Rhode Island Hospital, studied the signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings of 668 adult and paediatric patients who …. Original article  : How H1N1 is different from other viruses as a respiratory illness.

Proteins regulating water retention in salt-sensitive hypertension identified

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that two proteins in the brain act as valves to turn the hormone that regulates water retention in the body.

These findings by the LSU Health Sciences Centre New Orleans may lead to advances in treatment for … Read more : Proteins regulating water retention in salt-sensitive hypertension identified.

Factor boosting leukemia’s aggressiveness identified

WASHINGTON – An international team of researchers has identified particular relationship that can promote aggressive leukemias and lymphomas.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells survive and thrive not just by their own innate wiles, but by also acquiring aid and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Indiana Jones’ hits the Yeti trail in Nepal

KATHMANDU – As mysterious and as much sought-after as UFOs, the Yeti – also known as the Abominable Snowman, Migoi and Bigfoot – is not a myth or a hermit in the wilderness.

It exists in virginal forests untrodden by man, living on tree barks, frogs and even “brains” of animals.
Immensely powerful, it …. Original source  : ‘Indiana Jones’ hits the Yeti trail in Nepal.

NASA to lead global asteroid protection plan

LONDON – NASA is set to play a leading role in protecting the world from the threat of a dangerous asteroid strike, it has emerged.

According to letters sent by John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to Congressional committee leaders, the US space agency has been assigned responsibilities … Original article on : NASA to lead global asteroid protection plan.

Protein responsible for brain cells growth may lead to new antidepressants

LONDON – A new study has suggested that a protein involved in the growth and development of brain cells could also play a role in depression and provide a possible target for antidepressants.

Ron Duman and colleagues at Yale University compared post-mortem brain samples from 21 people who had been depressed and 18 people of the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Protein responsible for brain cells growth may lead to new antidepressants.

Women can ‘inherit breast cancer from mother’s or father’s side’

LONDON – A new study has revealed that women at risk of breast cancer miss out on tests and early diagnosis because their father’s family’s health history is disregarded.

Canadian researchers found that women were more likely to report a history of the disease on their mother’s side. A UK cancer charity said a father’s history …. Source article  : Women can ‘inherit breast cancer from mother’s or father’s side’.

Secrets behind what makes people attractive revealed

LONDON – A study into why some people are more attractive than others has found that it may all be due to oxidative stress and antioxidants.

Psychologists have discovered that men who were rated as the most physically attractive by women have the lowest levels of markers of oxidative stress.

“These findings have several important implications,” the …. Original article  : Secrets behind what makes people attractive revealed.

13-year-olds showing signs of middle-aged obesity

WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that blood vessels of obese children have stiffness normally seen in much older adults with cardiovascular disease.

The mean age of the children in Dr. Kevin Harris’s study was 13 years.

“Aortic stiffness is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease in obese children,” said Harris from B.C. Children’s Hospital.

He said it …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 13-year-olds showing signs of middle-aged obesity.

Game characters to become more realistic

LONDON – Scientists have developed new software that will ensures that a game character’s clothes ripple and ruffle realistically as the action unfolds.

Carsten Stoll of the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbrucken, Germany, and his colleagues began by generating a 3D laser scan of an actor in costume, and manually added a simple virtual … Original article on : Game characters to become more realistic.

Why women outlive men

LONDON – The reason for women outliving men has been put down to the possibility that the cells of male bodies are not genetically programmed to last as long as those of the females.

Professor Tom Kirkwood, a leading gerontologist at the University of Newcastle, believes there is now growing evidence to suggest that men are …. Original source  : Why women outlive men.

New, one-way sound device could improve ultrasound techniques

LONDON – Scientists at Nanjing University have created a one-way mirror for sound that only allows sound to pass one way – an invention that could help to improve ultrasound applications.

In the same way that electronic diodes permit current to move in only one direction, the team’s ‘acoustic rectifier’ converts a sound input to a … Original source on Gaea Times at : New, one-way sound device could improve ultrasound techniques.

New tabletop device that produces high energy X-rays at lower costs

LONDON – Scientists have suggested a new tabletop instrument that would make producing tightly focused beams of high energy X-rays-cheaper and simpler.

Researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Michigan and Instituto Superior Technico Lisbon described a tabletop instrument that produces synchrotron X-rays, whose energy and quality rivals that produced by some of the largest …. Read the original article  : here.

Why young children sexually abuse siblings, friends

MELBOURNE – A new study has suggested that kids who are born into families in which abuse, violence and neglect is common are more likely to indulge in sexually abusing other children.

The researchers studies boys aged 10 or under who have molested siblings, classmates, or friends.

The study found that the boys were unable to form … Original source on Gaea Times at : Why young children sexually abuse siblings, friends.

‘Self adjusting glasses’ to help a billion people by 2020

WASHINGTON – One doctor has taken it upon himself to help the poor in developing countries with his vision for vision: self-adjusting glasses.

People in developing countries who are afflicted with poor eye vision often don’t have access to eye treatments not just because they are expensive, but also because there are almost no trained optometrists …. Original article  : ‘Self adjusting glasses’ to help a billion people by 2020.

Women with blood group O at ‘double the risk of fertility problems’

LONDON – Scientists have said that women with the most common blood type could be twice as likely to suffer fertility problems.

Researchers found that those with blood group O are at much higher risk of running out of healthy eggs, so they could have problems conceiving as they get older.

Almost half the population – 44 … Read more : Women with blood group O at ‘double the risk of fertility problems’.

Tiny bees ‘better than computers at solving complex math problems’

LONDON – Who would have thought a bee could solve complex mathematical problems? But scientists at the School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London believe that they can even outsmart computers.

Effectively, they are capable of solving the “travelling salesman problem” – a [..] Read the original article: here.

Coming soon: Styrofoam made from cow’s milk!

WASHINGTON – You could soon be drinking out of Styrofoam cups made of milk, for scientists at Case Western Reserve University have managed to create styrofoam packaging using a combination of clay and milk protein.

David Schiraldi took the cow milk protein casein … Read more : Coming soon: Styrofoam made from cow’s milk!.

Apple set to revolutionize TV?

LONDON – When Apple TV was launched four years ago, it bombed – but this autumn, with YouView, the British internet TV box just round the corner – Apple has one more shot.

The new Apple TV is tiny – not much bigger than iPhone – and costs just 99 pounds. Its exterior temperature is …. Read the original article  : here.

Bitter tasting substances ‘found to work better than drugs to treat asthma’

LONDON – Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have discovered that bitter tasting substances can relieve asthma better than drugs currently available.

Stephen B. Liggett said his team found the taste receptors by accident, during an earlier, unrelated study of human lung muscle receptors that regulate airway contraction and relaxation.

In asthma, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Bitter tasting substances ‘found to work better than drugs to treat asthma’.

Finally, Goa gets a crab of its own

PANAJI – Goa now has a crab of its own. And for a change, it’s neither poached, grilled, roasted or curried.

Marine researchers in Goa have discovered a new species of crab along the Goa coast. It has been named Charybdis Goaensis, after the coastal state known for its beaches and seafood, especially the various …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kryptonite superglue speeds up recovery in heart patients post surgery

WASHINGTON – New research has shown that using a cutting-edge Kryptonite superglue can improve the recovery of heart patients recovering from open-chest surgery.

“It has properties like natural bone and allows for new bone growth,” said Dr. Fedak, a cardiac surgeon at Foothills Hospital … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kryptonite superglue speeds up recovery in heart patients post surgery.

China’s iPad users get free TV broadcast

BEIJING – China’s state-owned television network China Xinhua News Network Corporation (CNC) will provide a 24-hour free broadcast to iPad users in the country.

Users of Apple Inc’s wireless tablet computer would be able to watch programmes of CNC’s Chinese and world channels by downloading and installing the software from Apple stores free of charge, …. Original article  : China’s iPad users get free TV broadcast.

Falling in love ‘only takes about a fifth of a second’

WASHINGTON – Remember the expression ‘losing your heart to someone’? Well you might have lost your brain instead, according to a new study that claims it’s your brain and not your heart that makes you fall in love.

Stephanie Ortigue at Syracuse University said that falling in love … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Falling in love ‘only takes about a fifth of a second’.

Space tourism will worsen climate change

LONDON – A decade of commercial space flight would have a devastating impact on climate change and global temperatures.

Scientists believe that vast amounts of black soot created by a new generation of spacecraft could lead to temperatures in polar regions rising by as much as one degree Celsius.
Their simulations show that space flight … Read : Space tourism will worsen climate change.

Heavy smoking in midlife ‘doubles dementia risk’

WASHINGTON – Heavy smoking in middle age is linked to more than double the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia two decades later, according to a new study.

Current estimates suggest smoking is responsible for several million deaths per year from causes such as heart disease and cancer, according to background information in … Read : Heavy smoking in midlife ‘doubles dementia risk’.

Large doses of B-complex vitamins may help slow progression of dementia

WASHINGTON – A two-year clinical trial in England has shown that large doses of B-complex vitamins could reduce the rate of brain shrinkage by half in elderly people with memory problems and slow the progression of dementia.

The study discovered that B vitamins, including B-6, B-12 and folic acid, slow down mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a … Read more : Large doses of B-complex vitamins may help slow progression of dementia.

New study on lead exposure paves way for blindness treatment

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered some unexpected effects of lead exposure that may one day help prevent and reverse blindness.

Donald A. Fox, a professor of vision sciences in University of Houston College of Optometry described his team’s findings in a paper titled “Low-Level Gestational Lead Exposure Increases Retinal Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Rod Photoreceptor and … Read more : New study on lead exposure paves way for blindness treatment.

Daily dose of whole body vibration may help aging bones stay healthy

WASHINGTON – Researchers of Medical College of Georgia have suggested that a daily dose of whole body vibration may help reduce the usual bone density loss that occurs with age.

Dr. Karl H. Wenger, biomedical engineer in the MCG Schools of Graduate Studies and Medicine, and his colleagues found that vibration improved density around the hip …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Daily dose of whole body vibration may help aging bones stay healthy.

Countries argue over how to save forests

NAGOYA – One hectare of a tropical forest yields us benefits worth $6,120 every year, far more than gained by cutting that forest down. But they continue to be cut down, and on Tuesday 192 countries still could not agree on how to arrest this.

The sustainable management of forests is one of the main …. Source article  : Countries argue over how to save forests.

‘Cut carbohydrate intake, live longer’

LONDON – The key to good health, energy and long life could be as simple as cutting down on your carbohydrates.

Professor Cynthia Kenyon, gerontologist at the University of California, has discovered that carbohydrates directly affect two key genes that govern youthfulness and longevity.
Kenyon, whom many believe could win the Nobel Prize for … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Cut carbohydrate intake, live longer’.

India ‘may not have been an isolated island-continent 50mn yrs ago’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered amber deposits containing bees, termites, spiders, and flies – the find has challenged the assumption that India was an isolated island-continent in the Early Eocene, or 52-50 million years ago.

The amber is also the oldest evidence of a tropical broadleaf rainforest in Asia.

“We know India was isolated, but when and … Read : India ‘may not have been an isolated island-continent 50mn yrs ago’.

‘Universal’ robotic hand runs on coffee and party balloons!

WASHINGTON – Researchers from Cornell University, University of Chicago and iRobot have created a versatile robotic gripper using ground coffee and a latex party balloon.

They call it a universal gripper, as it conforms to the object it’s grabbing rather than being designed for particular objects, said Hod Lipson.

“This is one of the closest things … Original article on : ‘Universal’ robotic hand runs on coffee and party balloons!.

Dose of the ‘blues’ could help people overcome depression

LONDON – A new research suggests that a dose of the “blues” could help people overcome depression and other mood disorders.

A team, led by Dr Gilles Vandewalle from the University of Liege in Belgium, found that exposure to blue light boosts activity in the parts of the brain that handle emotions.

They believe the findings could …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Dose of the ‘blues’ could help people overcome depression.

Odor coding in mammals much more complex than previously thought

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that the contribution of odorant receptors (ORs) to olfactory response in mammals is much more complex than previously thought, with important consequences for odorant encoding and information transfer about odorants to the brain.

ORs, which provide a system for mammals to discriminate between many different odors, form a large, …. Original source  : Odor coding in mammals much more complex than previously thought.

Ocean asteroid impact could damage Earth’s protective ozone layer

LONDON – If a medium-sized asteroid were to land in the oceans a tsunami wouldn’t be the only worry, say scientists- the Earth’s ozone layer could be at risk too.

A new computer simulation suggests that the water vapour and sea salt thrown up by the impact could damage the protective ozone layer, leading to record …. Read the original article  : Ocean asteroid impact could damage Earth’s protective ozone layer.

Listeria ‘tricks’ intestinal cells to cause sickness: Indian origin scientist

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that pathogenic listeria tricks intestinal cells into helping it pass through those cells to make people ill, and, if that doesn’t work, the bacteria simply goes around the cells.

Arun Bhunia of the University or Purdue and Kristin Burkholder of the University of Michigan Medical School, found that listeria, … Original article on : Listeria ‘tricks’ intestinal cells to cause sickness: Indian origin scientist.

Plant stem cells pave way for low-cost cancer drug

LONDON – A new study has suggested that a well-known cancer drug could be produced cheaply and sustainably using stem cells derived from trees.

University of Edinburgh researchers have isolated and grown stem cells from a yew tree whose bark is a natural source of the anticancer compound paclitaxel.

The development could enable the compound to be …. Original source  : Plant stem cells pave way for low-cost cancer drug.

Modern humans emerged far earlier than thought, fossils in China suggest

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered well-dated human fossils in southern China that markedly change anthropologists’ perceptions of the emergence of modern humans in the eastern Old World.

The discovery of early modern human fossil remains in the Zhirendong (Zhiren Cave) in south China that are at least 100,000 years old provides the earliest evidence for the … Read more : Modern humans emerged far earlier than thought, fossils in China suggest.

Why some women make excuses for not wanting to have sex

LONDON – Some women claim to have a headache while others pretended they are too tired. But now, experts have a scientific explanation as to why such women give their husbands excuses for not wanting to have sex.

They have found that the brains of females with a low libido behave completely differently to those with … Read : Why some women make excuses for not wanting to have sex.

Why lack of sleep keeps some chirpy while others grumpy

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered how some stay perky all day with just a few hours of sleep, while others remain cranky all day? Scientists believe it’s all in the genes.

The study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia looked at people who have a gene variant called DQB1 *0602 that is …. Read the original article  : here.

Aspirin use ‘cuts risk of death from prostate cancer by more than half’

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that men with prostate cancer who take anticoagulants like aspirin in addition to radiation therapy or surgery may be able to cut their risk of dying of the disease by more than half.

“Evidence has shown that anticoagulants may interfere with cancer growth and spread,” Kevin Choe, lead author …. Source  : Aspirin use ‘cuts risk of death from prostate cancer by more than half’.

Men never forget sexy women’s sexual overtures even years after event

WASHINGTON – A new study suggests that college-aged men are very likely to remember a woman’s initial sexual interest (attraction or rejection), especially when the woman in question is thought to be attractive, is dressed more provocatively, and expresses positive sexual interest.

Men who were shown full-body photographs of college-aged women who expressed cues of sexual …. Original article  : Men never forget sexy women’s sexual overtures even years after event.

Chandigarh to set up ‘energy park’

CHANDIGARH – Chandigarh will soon get a ‘energy park’ where swings meant for children will generate power.

This has been envisaged by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, Mayor Anu Chatrath told IANS.
The idea came from a similar park in Gangtok “where power is generated by swings installed there. This power is used to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Chandigarh to set up ‘energy park’.

People more likely to lie on Twitter, Facebook

LONDON – People are more comfortable with being dishonest on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook than they are when speaking to someone face-to-face, a survey shows.

A survey of about 2,000 people in Britain by Optimum Research, on behalf of Direct Line insurance firm, found that just 20 percent of people … Read this article on Gaea Times at : People more likely to lie on Twitter, Facebook.

Scientists fear another round of mass extinction

LONDON – One in five of the world’s mammals, birds and fish are now endangered, indicating a possible sixth round of mass extinction in the Earth’s history, scientists say.

The researchers found that the a growing number of vertebrates (animals with backbones) are being added to the endangered species list, with humans largely to blame.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists fear another round of mass extinction.

Security flaw found in Apple’s latest iPhone

LONDON – It seems Apple’s latest iPhone is not that safe, for a security flaw has been found that allows strangers to bypass the handset’s passcode-protected lock screen with a few button presses.

Most users set up a password to prevent others from accessing the phone’s contents, but a Brazilian man posted a video of himself …. Source article  : Security flaw found in Apple’s latest iPhone.

Accurate facial-recognition goes mobile, courtesy new software

WASHINGTON – Scientists in the UK have come up with new software for mobile phones that can track your facial features in real-time.

Eventually it will be able to tell who the user is, where they are looking and even how they are feeling, say researchers at The University of Manchester.

The method is believed to …. Source article  : Accurate facial-recognition goes mobile, courtesy new software.

High-altitude Himachal lakes begin to freeze

SHIMLA – Most of the high-altitude lakes in Himachal Pradesh have started to freeze as the recent snowfall has sharply brought down the temperature, the weather department said here Wednesday.

In the high-altitude areas of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Kullu districts, the night temperature has been below the freezing point, said meteorological office … Read more >>.

Scientists fear mass extinction has begun

LONDON – One in five of the world’s mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians are under threat of extinction, a study says.

The research found that the a growing number of vertebrates (animals with backbones) are being added to the endangered species list, with humans largely to blame.
One of the world’s leading ecologists, Edward … Read more >>>.

‘Gender-bending’ chemicals affect reproduction: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has offered the first evidence that ‘gender bending’ chemicals which find their way from human products into rivers and oceans can have a significant impact on the ability of fish to breed.

The findings from the four-year study, led by the universities of Exeter and Brunel, has important implications for understanding … Original article on : ‘Gender-bending’ chemicals affect reproduction: Study.

NASA’s first ever human-like robot ready for space launch

WASHINGTON – NASA is preparing to launch Robonaut 2, the first human-like robot designed for use in space.

The humanoid robot, which resembles the torso, head and shoulders of a person, was designed by NASA and General Motors to work alongside astronauts to complete chores and repairs aboard the International Space Station.

Once aboard the space station …. Original source  : NASA’s first ever human-like robot ready for space launch.

Now, device that lets parents ’see the world through child’s eyes’

LONDON – University of Tsukuba researchers have created a device that will let parents see what their child is viewing, even when they are not together.

The technology builds on existing devices that can track the location of a child, but this gadget also monitors what the child is seeing, and even their pulse. If a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, device that lets parents ’see the world through child’s eyes’.

Birds in the dino era pecked just like their modern counterparts

WASHINGTON – 110 million-year-old rock fossils discovered recently by palaeontologists from the University of Kansas in Lawrence indicate that shorebirds from the dinosaur era shuffled and foraged just like today’s birds.

Today’s shorebirds shuffle along muddy flats pecking and probing for invertebrates to eat. The marks they leave behind are the same as those found in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Birds in the dino era pecked just like their modern counterparts.

Traditional delivery for breech babies safer than C-section for mums

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Tel Aviv University have said that in certain circumstances, traditional vaginal delivery for breech babies is not only safe for baby, but for mothers too.

For breech babies – those born with buttocks or feet first rather than head first – doctors usually use caesarean but Prof. Marek Glezerman and colleagues believe … Original source on Gaea Times at : Traditional delivery for breech babies safer than C-section for mums.

A fifth of world’s life at extinction risk: Report

WASHINGTON – A new report has suggested that an increasing numbers of birds, mammals and amphibians have moved closer to extinction in the last several decades-but not as far as they would have if no conservation measures at all had been enacted.

To assess the status of the world’s vertebrates, an international team of research lead …. Original article  : A fifth of world’s life at extinction risk: Report.

Eggshells could help combat climate change, say Indian scientists

WASHINGTON – Indian researchers say that the food industry generates a lot of waste products, but one of these, eggshells, could help combat climate change.

Basab Chaudhuri of the University of Calcutta and colleagues have shown that the membrane that lines an eggshell can absorb almost seven times its own weight of the greenhouse gas carbon …. Source article  : Eggshells could help combat climate change, say Indian scientists.

People who are blind perceive touch faster than those with normal vision

WASHINGTON – A new study suggests that people who are blind from birth are able to detect tactile information faster than people with normal vision.

A group of researchers led by Daniel Goldreich, PhD, of McMaster University explored whether people who have a special reliance on a particular sense – in the way blind people rely … Read more >>.

Mornings, evenings to get chilly in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites will feel the chill during early morning and late evening hours as the night temperature has been “dipping every day” in the city, the weather office said here Wednesday.

“There will be more misty mornings as the minimum temperature is dipping every day. The early mornings and evenings will get chilly,” …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mornings, evenings to get chilly in Delhi.

Leopard kills boy in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A leopard killed a 12-year-old boy in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district after straying out of a forest reserve, an official said Wednesday.

Hariram of Navtod village was mauled to death by the leopard in the Nishangadha range of the Katarniaghat forest reserve.
“The adult leopard Monday attacked Hariram in the village and dragged … Read : Leopard kills boy in Uttar Pradesh.

Women stay away from math out of their own free choice

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered why there are such few women in math-intensive fields? Two psychological scientists at Cornell University believe women aren’t innately poor at math; instead they choose to stay away from the subject.

Stephen Ceci and Wendy Williams reviewed all of the evidence and concluded that the main factor is women’s choices-both freely made, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Women stay away from math out of their own free choice.

Yahoo Mail gets makeover after 5 yrs to catch up with Microsoft, Google

LONDON – Yahoo has finally decided to revamp its email service in a bid to catch up with rivals Microsoft and Google – the company has decided to give its mail service a makeover after five years.

Users can now post updates to Facebook and Twitter as well as view photos and videos from Flickr, Picasa … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yahoo Mail gets makeover after 5 yrs to catch up with Microsoft, Google.

3-D egg protein structure could pave way for new contraceptives

LONDON – Scientists have determined the three dimensional structure of the egg protein that helps the sperm stick during fertilisation.

The structure could not only help determine why infertility occurs, but also lead to a completely new type of contraceptive.

Luca Jovine of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues studied the chicken version of the …. Original source  : 3-D egg protein structure could pave way for new contraceptives.

NASA’s Artemis mission to shed light on Moon’s space environment

WASHINGTON – Two micro satellites launched into the Earth’s orbit by NASA in 2007 have now been redirected towards new orbits around the Moon to study its space environment in more detail.

The second of the two probes inaugurated new science operations for a new mission dubbed ARTEMIS-Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction … Original source on Gaea Times at : NASA’s Artemis mission to shed light on Moon’s space environment.

Women in their 20s ’should freeze ovaries to boost pregnancy chances’

LONDON – A fertility expert has claimed that women in their 20s should freeze their ovaries if they want to conceive later in life.

Dr Sherman Silber, who carried out the world’s first full ovary transplant, said that women in 20s should be thinking of having the procedure now.

Storing one third of an ovary would mean …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Speed gun’ for Earth’s insides developed

LONDON – University of Bristol’s scientists have claimed that they have developed a seismological ’speed gun’ for the inside of the Earth and this technique will enable them to measure the way the Earth’s deep interior slowly moves around.

The mantle motion is what controls the location of our continents and oceans, and where the tectonic … Read more >>>.

Action ‘needed to save archaeological sites threatened by rising seas’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have issued call to action for archaeological sites threatened by rising seas.

Should global warming cause sea levels to rise as predicted in coming decades, thousands of archaeological sites in coastal areas around the world will be lost to erosion.

With no hope of saving all of these sites, archaeologists Torben Rick from … Original source on Gaea Times at : Action ‘needed to save archaeological sites threatened by rising seas’.

The secret behind cone snail’s venom pump discovered

WASHINGTON – The secret of how an amazing sea snail injects its venom after shooting a harpoon-like tooth into its prey – or some unlucky swimmer – at jetliner speeds has been discovered by scientists.

The creatures, called cone snails, use a highly specialized structure that instantly pumps the paralyzing venom through the tooth and into …. Source  : The secret behind cone snail’s venom pump discovered.

Device that reads and interprets your dreams may soon be a reality

LONDON – A US researcher has claimed that the day may not be far when it would be possible to read people’s dreams and interpret them.

The aim is not to interlope, but to extend our understanding of how and why people dream.

“It would be wonderful to read people’s minds” the BBC quoted Dr Moran Cerf … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Device that reads and interprets your dreams may soon be a reality.

Buckyballs much more common and abundant in universe than thought

WASHINGTON – Using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered bucket loads of buckyballs in space.

They found the little carbon spheres throughout our Milky Way galaxy-in the space between stars and around three dying stars.

What’s more, Spitzer detected buckyballs around a fourth dying star in a nearby galaxy in staggering quantities-the equivalent in mass …. Read the original article  : Buckyballs much more common and abundant in universe than thought.

Deep freeze may have spawned complex life on Earth

LONDON – The rise of complex life on Earth may have been given a boost by a spike in ancient marine phosphorus concentrations from 750 to 635 million years ago, University of California, Riverside, researchers say.

They found new evidence linking ‘Snowball Earth’ glacial events to the rise of early animals.

The controversial Snowball Earth hypothesis posits …. Original article  : Deep freeze may have spawned complex life on Earth.

Cheap reading glasses ‘can cost you your eyesight’

LONDON – New research suggests that cheap reading glasses might be readily available, but in the long term they can cost you your eyesight.

By the age of 50, most adults have problems reading a book or newspaper without spectacles, so the arrival of the cheap glasses in supermarkets, high street stores and market stalls less …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

High-tech ‘Sugru’ putty ‘an emergency fix for anything in the house’

LONDON – Sugru – a sort of magic plasticine – is being hailed as the universal emergency fix for anything broken around the house – from a leaking tap to a broken shelf.

It’s a a self-adhesive silicone putty that cures in the air, so once cured it will maintain the solid rubbery form of any …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : High-tech ‘Sugru’ putty ‘an emergency fix for anything in the house’.

14 million years old fossil found in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – The fossil of a beast that walked on earth some 14 million years ago has been found in a Pakistani village.

The Punjab Universitys zoology department research team discovered the remains of a deinotherium during excavation at Lava village, reported the Dawn Thursday. It didn’t say where precisely was the village located.
…. Original article  : 14 million years old fossil found in Pakistan.

New Android app lets you spy on lover’s text messages!

NEW YORK – Suspicious that your better half is cheating on you? You can find out for sure, provided they have an android phone.

Thanks to Secret SMS Replicator, a new app released for the Android on Wednesday, suspicious daters can now spy on every text message their loved ones receive.

Post installation, the app forwards all … Read more >>.

Tobacco’s content of toxic nicotine ‘makes it an excellent green pesticide’

WASHINGTON – Scientists are searching for new uses of tobacco and one potential use they have found is its use as a natural pesticide, due to tobacco’s content of toxic nicotine.

A “green” pesticide industry based on tobacco could provide additional income for farmers, and as well as a new eco-friendly pest-control agent, said Cedric … Read more : Tobacco’s content of toxic nicotine ‘makes it an excellent green pesticide’.

Brain hyperactivity ‘responsible for involuntary flashbacks’

WASHINGTON – Researchers from Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Minnesota have revealed that increased circuit activity in the right side of the brain causes involuntary flashbacks in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers.

All participants were required to wear the MEG (Magnetoencephalography) helmet while fixating on a spot 65 cm in front of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brain hyperactivity ‘responsible for involuntary flashbacks’.

Why thinking of Marilyn Monroe might light up our brain

LONDON – A US researcher has claimed that the day may not be far when it would be possible to read people’s dreams and interpret them.

The aim is not to interlope, but to extend our understanding of how and why people dream.

“It would be wonderful to read people’s minds” the BBC quoted Dr Moran Cerf …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why thinking of Marilyn Monroe might light up our brain.

Human ancestors ‘colonized’ Africa 39 mn yrs ago

LONDON – An international team of scientists have said that anthropoids-the primate group that includes humans, apes, and monkeys-”colonized” Africa, rather than originally evolving in Africa.

The team discovered fossils found at the Dur At-Talah escarpment in central Libya, which includes three distinct families of anthropoid primates that lived in North Africa at approximately the same [..] Read the original article: here.

Sex differences in the brain ‘exaggerated, forcing gender stereotypes’

WASHINGTON – Many studies have reported sex differences in brain structure or patterns of neural activity but a psychological scientist from the Macquarie University in Australia believes that these differences are overblown.

According to Cordelia Fine, we should be skeptical about reports of brain differences between the sexes. As an academic, she was curious about the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

A stick-on film that protects phone users from radiation

JERUSALEM – An Israeli firm has invented a stick-on film that would protect cell phone users from the dangers of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the device, a media report said.

Wise Environment, makers of the Cell La Vie radiation protector, said applying a thin, clear stick-on film to both sides of the cell phone will … Read more >>>.

Beached whale dies in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 28 (IANS/EFE) A whale that got beached two days ago in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state died early Wednesday despite the efforts of volunteers and firefighters to save it, officials said.

The 12-meter whale had been trapped on a sand bar off Buzios, a resort town located about 167 km from …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Beached whale dies in Brazil.

‘Gold bullet’ to kill breast cancer cells on the anvil

LONDON – Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas, are developing a ‘golden bullet’ that will destroy breast cancer tumour cells.

Used with radiotherapy, the tiny shards of gold heat up and destroy the deadly cells that help tumours grow and ease their spread around the body.

When tested in mice, tiny pieces of silica, … Read more »»».

Trapped NASA Mars Rover finds more evidence of water on ‘Red Planet’

WASHINGTON – The presence of water on Mars has become more evident, suggests a new NASA finding.

Scientists have revealed that the ground where NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Spirit became stuck last year holds evidence that water, perhaps as snow melt, trickled into the subsurface fairly recently and on a continuing basis.

Stratified soil layers with different …. Source article  : Trapped NASA Mars Rover finds more evidence of water on ‘Red Planet’.

Like humans, chimps too prefer using their right hands

WASHINGTON – A new study by Spanish scientists has revealed that humans are not the only species to prefer to use their right hand-chimpanzees also share the trait.

The researchers reached their findings after observing 114 chimpanzees from two primate rescue centers, one in Spain and the other in Zambia.

The primates were provided with food … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Like humans, chimps too prefer using their right hands.

Earth-size planets ‘prevalent’ in our Milky Way galaxy

WASHINGTON – A new study funded by NASA and the University of California has revealed that nearly one in four stars similar to the Sun may host planets as small as Earth.

The study is the most extensive and sensitive planetary census of its kind. Astronomers used the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii for five …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Earth-size planets ‘prevalent’ in our Milky Way galaxy.

Now, a blood test to spot ectopic pregnancy

LONDON – Scientists are developing a blood test for ectopic pregnancies, which could help save the fertility of thousands of women.

It would enable the life-threatening condition to be diagnosed within a day, instead of the several weeks it takes for tests to come back now.

This would allow doctors to intervene earlier to save reproductive organs …. Original article  : Now, a blood test to spot ectopic pregnancy.

Getting older ‘leads to emotional stability, happiness’

WASHINGTON – Some of us moan and groan at the idea of getting older, but a new Stanford study suggests that aging could be a positive thing after all.

According to the study’s lead author Laura Carstensen, as we grow older, we tend to become more emotionally stable. And that translates into longer, more productive lives … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Getting older ‘leads to emotional stability, happiness’.

Two people can learn to cooperate with each other intuitively: Study

LONDON – A new study has found that two people can learn to co-operate with each other intuitively, without communication or any conscious intention to co-operate.

However, the process breaks down in the group of three or more, says the research.

The members of University of Leicester’s School of Psychology and Department of Economics undertook the …. Read the original article  : Two people can learn to cooperate with each other intuitively: Study.

Child-mother interactions study to pave for robots with social skills

WASHINGTON – Researchers are studying infant-mother interactions and working to implement their findings in a baby robot capable of learning social skills.

The first phase of the project by University of Miami (UM) developmental psychologists and computer scientists from the University of California in San Diego (UC San Diego) was studying face-to-face interactions between mother …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Child-mother interactions study to pave for robots with social skills.

‘Wireless’ humans could backbone new mobile networks

LONDON – People could form the backbone of powerful new mobile internet networks by carrying wearable sensors.

The sensors could create new ultra high bandwidth mobile internet infrastructures and reduce the density of mobile phone base stations.
Engineers from Queen’s Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology are working on a new …. Source article  : ‘Wireless’ humans could backbone new mobile networks.

First complete remains of dinosaur’s ancestor found in China

WASHINGTON – For the first time, scientists have discovered the complete remains of a pivotal ancestor of Earth’s largest land animals – the sauropod dinosaurs, in China.

The new species, tentatively dubbed Yizhousaurus sunae, lived on the flood plains around Lufeng in the Yunnan Province of South China about 200 million years ago.

Unlike its 120-foot-long, 100-ton … Read more >>.

Art of making tools 55,000 years older than previously thought

WASHINGTON – For a long time, it was thought that the art of shaping stones into sharp-edged points originated about 20,000 years ago, but a new study has revealed that it may in fact, have started around 75,000 years ago.

A study of stone tools from Blombos Cave in South Africa has suggested that tool making …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Smokers ‘more likely to be impulsive, indecisive’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that people who smoke are more likely to be impulsive and indecisive than those who have never smoked in their life.

Researchers of the Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) have found that a specific region of the cerebral cortex of smokers is thinner than that of …. Read the original article  : Smokers ‘more likely to be impulsive, indecisive’.

Study on insulin-creating cell may lead to better diabetes treatment

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that beta cells-responsible for making insulin in the human body-do not replicate after the age of 30, indicating that scientists are closer to advancements in diabetes treatment.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by a loss of beta cells by auto-immunity while type 2 is due to a relative insufficiency …. Source article  : Study on insulin-creating cell may lead to better diabetes treatment.

Dementia drug could be ‘within our grasp’, say Oz scientists

MELBOURNE – Australian scientists say that a drug treatment that could slow the onset of certain types of dementia could be ‘within our grasp’.

Dr John Kwok and colleagues from Neuroscience Research, Sydney, have identified a gene that causes abnormal protein deposits in the brains of people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a disease that affects …. Source article  : Dementia drug could be ‘within our grasp’, say Oz scientists.

Hands can detect typos even when the mind doesn’t: Study

WASHINGTON – For professional typists, the act of typing is almost an automaton and now a new study reveals why.

“We all know we do some things on autopilot, from walking to doing familiar tasks like making coffee and, in this study, typing. What we don’t know as scientists is how people are able to control …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hands can detect typos even when the mind doesn’t: Study.

Smallest electric engine could power future nanomachines

LONDON – Scientists at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have designed a blueprint for the smallest electric engine ever that could eventually drive tiny conveyor belts or pumps in future nanomachines.

The motor’s rotor is a long, coal-derived molecule called anthracene. It possesses what is known as a dipole moment – its negatively …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Smallest electric engine could power future nanomachines.

5 risk factors for late-stage head and neck cancer identified

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit say that developing a molecular fingerprint for head and neck cancer tumors could help improve diagnosis and treatment for this deadly and often-times disfiguring form of cancer.

Their new study has taken the first step toward doing that by identifying five risk factors for late-stage head and [..] Read the original article: here.

Superhero suit to prevent bone loss in astronauts

LONDON – Micro-gravity in space can cause significant amount of bone loss in astronauts, but now a new superhero suit is set to change that.

Even with regular exercise, an astronaut can lose 1.5 per cent of bone mass in just a month – similar to the bone loss experienced by a post-menopausal woman in a … Read more : Superhero suit to prevent bone loss in astronauts.

Warm day, chilly evening ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – It was a misty Friday morning in the capital and the weather office said it will be sunny as the day progresses but the evening would be chilly.

“There was mist in the morning but it will be a clear sky as the day advances. The chill will be back in the … Read more >>>.

Scientists estimate Earth-sized planets could be common

WASHINGTON – A group of astronomers has estimated that as many as one in four stars similar to the Sun could be orbited by Earth-size planets.

A five-year observation of 166 stars within 80 light years of Earth, using the powerful Keck telescope in Hawaii, counted planets orbiting the stars, down to the smallest planets …. Original article  : Scientists estimate Earth-sized planets could be common.

Capital braces for early onset of winter as mercury dips

NEW DELHI – Delhiites can look forward to early onset of winter now that mercury levels are dipping and the city is witnessing chilly mornings and evenings, the weatherman says.

The maximum temperature Thursday was recorded two notches below the average, at 30.2 degree Celsius, while the minimum remained at 15 degree Celsius, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Capital braces for early onset of winter as mercury dips.

Now, an alarm clock that creates dawn

LONDON – For people who experience “winter blues” when waking up early morning, a cure has been found. A British firm has invented an alarm clock that creates an artificial dawn.

Nearly one in four Britons suffer varying degrees of depression brought on by a lack of light during winters.
But Cambridge-based firm Lumie says [..] Read the original article: here.

Islands flanking Mississippi ‘might vanish’ due to oil spill, sea level rise

WASHINGTON – Researchers have warned that the islands flanking the Mississippi river might entirely disappear in the coming decades not only due to sea level rise and local subsidence but also because of unknown impacts from oil recovery operations.

The Chandeleur Islands to the east of the river outlet are remote, tenuous strips of sand that … Read : Islands flanking Mississippi ‘might vanish’ due to oil spill, sea level rise.

Frozen piles of CO2 on Mars may trigger avalanches

WASHINGTON – Images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed that mysterious gullies are forming on Mars as a result of frozen carbon dioxide that’s piling up on Martian dunes.

The piles may trigger avalanches that carve out the mysterious gullies.

“Gullies that look like this on Earth are caused by flowing water, butars is a different … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Frozen piles of CO2 on Mars may trigger avalanches.

Apple iPhone sales outshine BlackBerry: Report

LONDON – Apple’s iPhone range has outdone BlackBerry, as one of the world’s biggest mobile phone companies, new figures have suggested.

Apple shipped 14.1 million handsets during the most recent financial quarter, up 91 per cent on the same quarter last year, according to analysts at Strategy Analytics.

Bumper sales of Apple’s flagship iPhone 4 has …. Original source  : Apple iPhone sales outshine BlackBerry: Report.

Universe to end in 5 billion years, predict scientists

WASHINGTON – Right around the time when Sun is slated to die, the universe too would come to an end-in just five billion years-a new study has predicted.

The prediction comes from the theory of eternal inflation, which says our universe is part of the multiverse.

The problem with a multiverse is that anything that can happen … Read more »»».

Is El Nino causing ice to melt at the South Pole?

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences believe that the climate phenomenon El Nino may be causing ice at the South Pole to melt.

The year-by-year change in the ice mass covering Antarctica are mainly attributable to fluctuations in precipitation, which are controlled significantly by El Nino.

For some glaciers the ice …. Source  : Is El Nino causing ice to melt at the South Pole?.

‘Space mice’ may pave way to help keep humans fit in space

WASHINGTON – On its last flight, Discovery will not just carry astronauts, but 16 rodent passengers too.

The project is aimed at understanding why space flights make humans more vulnerable to infection by viruses and bacteria.

“Since the Apollo missions, we have had evidence that astronauts have increased susceptibility to infections during flight and immediately post-flight – … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Space mice’ may pave way to help keep humans fit in space.

120 tombs found in China construction site

BEIJING – Around 120 ancient tombs from different periods have been discovered at a construction site in China’s Guangzhou city.

Covering an area of 8,000 square metres, the tombs are from the Western and Eastern Han dynasties, the Three Kingdoms period as well as the Jin, Sui, Tang, Song, Ming and Qing dynasties, the People’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : 120 tombs found in China construction site.

Unplanned pregnancies more common in women with anorexia nervosa

WASHINGTON – Women with anorexia nervosa are much more likely to have both unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions than women who don’t have the serious eating disorder, according to a new study.

The study has been conducted by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Norwegian researchers.

Lead author Cynthia M. Bulik said that these results … Original source on Gaea Times at : Unplanned pregnancies more common in women with anorexia nervosa.

Co-founder of YouTube steps down as CEO

LONDON – The co-founder of YouTube, world’s largest video-sharing website, Clad Hurley, has terminated his stint as the website’s CEO.

However, Hurley said he would continue as an adviser to YouTube.

Google bought the YouTube website in 2006 for 1.65bn dollars and since then has been asserting more control over the popular site.

In a statement, Hurley … Read more »».

Scientists grow miniature liver using human cells

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of Wake Forest have grown a miniature liver-only an inch in diameter-using human cells.

The liver, however, is not big enough to work for a human.

But scientists hope that someday it would grow bigger livers for people who need them, or to use them for testing new drugs. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scientists grow miniature liver using human cells.

Efforts to beat malaria may backfire, says experts

LONDON – Efforts to wipe out malaria in some countries may be counter-productive, suggests an international team of researchers.

A new report in the Lancet has suggested some countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, might be better pursuing a policy of controlling the disease, reports the BBC.

They have also criticised the World Health Organization (WHO) for not … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Efforts to beat malaria may backfire, says experts.

Math, maps used to plot malaria elimination plan

LONDON – With the help of mathematical models and maps, two University of Florida researchers have estimated the feasibility of eliminating malaria from countries that have the deadliest form of the disease.

For five years, Andrew Tatem along with David L. Smith collaborated with a team of scientists, geographers, statisticians and on-the-ground health workers to create …. Source  : Math, maps used to plot malaria elimination plan.

Study sheds light on mysterious eel-like creatures that lived before dinos

WASHINGTON – A new study has shed light on conodonts – a species of eel-like creatures that lived even before dinosaurs – and according to scientists, ate like the creature did in the movie “Alien.”

Conodonts possessed rows of sharp, interlocking cone-shaped teeth that raked prey into their mouths. They first emerged around 500 million years …. Read the original article  : Study sheds light on mysterious eel-like creatures that lived before dinos.

How 5000-yr-old Neolithic men painted their homes

LONDON – A new research has revealed that our ancestors from 5,000 years ago painted their homes to brighten up their places too.

They used red, yellow and orange pigments from ground-up minerals and bound it with animal fat and eggs to make their paint, the new study from a Stone Age settlement on the island … Read more : How 5000-yr-old Neolithic men painted their homes.

Cloudy skies likely in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi woke up to a misty Saturday morning, but the mist soon gave way to a bright day. The weather department, however, forecast cloudy skies during the later part of the day.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature recorded Saturday was a notch above the average at 16 …. Source  : Cloudy skies likely in Delhi.

Gene that helps fish ‘disappear’ discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a new member of a gene family that has powerful influences on pigmentation and the regulation of body weight.

The new gene, called agrp2, has been found exclusively in bony fish, including zebra fish, trout and salmon and enables fish to change colour dramatically to match their surroundings.

Fish, amphibians and reptiles …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gene that helps fish ‘disappear’ discovered.

‘Bolt from deep blue’ may have sparked life on Earth

LONDON – Scientists at the University of Tokyo in Japan have suggested that a bolt from the deep blue seas may have sparked life on Earth.

Ryuhei Nakamura and his team believe that hydrothermal vents on the deep ocean floor could have triggered life on the planet. They said the vents could generate electric currents, which … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Bolt from deep blue’ may have sparked life on Earth.

UN biodiversity summit ends with agreement (Roundup)

NAGOYA – The Oct 18-29 UN biodiversity summit ended here Friday with agreement over a strategic plan on how to protect animals and plants, how to provide money for it, and how to share the revenues for medicines and cosmetics produced from medicinal plants.

After numerous delays and protracted backroom negotiations, delegates from 192 countries …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UN biodiversity summit ends with agreement (Roundup).

India’s South Pole expedition to study climate change

NEW DELHI – India will send an expedition to the South Pole to study changes in climate patterns that have taken place in Antarctica in the last thousands of years, an official said here Friday.

Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan will flag off the expedition Nov 1, which would start the international celebration … Read more : India’s South Pole expedition to study climate change.

New advance may change modern electronics

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Oregon State University have made a new discovery that could form the basis of a new approach to electronics.

They have solved a quest in fundamental material science that has eluded scientists since the 1960s.

The discovery outlines the creation for the first time of a high-performance “metal-insulator-metal” diode.

“This is a fundamental change … Original article on : New advance may change modern electronics.

Dragonflies grow bigger with more oxygen: Study

WASHINGTON – New experiments have confirmed that dragonflies grow bigger with more oxygen, or hyperoxia.

The giant dragonflies of ancient Earth with wingspans of up to 70 centimetres are generally attributed to higher oxygen atmospheric levels in the atmosphere in the past.

However, not all insects were larger when oxygen was higher in the past.

The secrets … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dragonflies grow bigger with more oxygen: Study.

Heavy drinkers cut intake over time, but still drink more than average adult

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that heavy drinkers may reduce the amount of alcohol they consume over a period of years but are not likely to go down to the level of the average adult.

Given that heavy drinkers often don’t become “normal” drinkers on their own, the takeaway message for clinicians and family …. Original article  : Heavy drinkers cut intake over time, but still drink more than average adult.

Even Stone Age homes were painted

LONDON – Our ancestors 5,000 years ago brightened up their Stone Age homes by painting the insides, according to new archaeological evidence.

They used red, yellow and orange pigments from ground-up minerals and bound it with animal fat and eggs to make their paint.
It is the earliest ever example of man using paint to … Read : Even Stone Age homes were painted.

Deodorant made from nanoparticles to eliminate unpleasant odours

WASHINGTON – Scientists have come with a new approach for dealing with offensive household and other odours.

The new method does not mask odours like today’s room fresheners, but eliminates them at the source.

Their research found that a deodorant made from nanoparticles – hundreds of times smaller than peach fuzz – eliminates odours up to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Deodorant made from nanoparticles to eliminate unpleasant odours.

Climate a major factor in lizard’s sex

LONDON – A new study has revealed that the sex of snow skink lizards is influenced by climate.

As part of the research, Ido Pen of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and colleagues studied two clans of snow skinks, Niveoscincus greeni, living at low or high altitude in the mountains of Tasmania, Australia. …. Source article  : Climate a major factor in lizard’s sex.

Why some people get sicker than others when exposed to same illness

WASHINGTON – A new study conducted on a population of wild sheep located on a remote island off the coast of Scotland that gauged the animals’ susceptibility to infection may shed new light on why some people get sicker than others when exposed to the same illness.

The answer to this medical puzzle may lie in [..] Read the original article: here.

Sundarbans faces threat from charcoal smugglers

DHAKA – The endangered ecology of the Sundarbans that straddle Bangladesh and India is facing a new challenge from poachers who chop down and burn the trees to sell charcoal to brick fields, a media report said here Sunday.

A report from the southern Bagerhat district said the Coast Guard, in charge of security in …. Read the original article  : Sundarbans faces threat from charcoal smugglers.

Software to fight hacking technique bags award

WASHINGTON – Scientists have come up with new software to combat hacking technique.

One of the serious threats to a user’s computer is a software program that might cause unwanted keystroke sequences to occur in order to hack someone’s identity.

This form of an attack is increasing, infecting enterprise and personal computers, and caused by “organized … Read : Software to fight hacking technique bags award.

Now, CCTV that can ’sense’ aggression from sound

LONDON – A UK company has developed a CCTV technology, which can assert if you’re being aggressive or calling for help.

What’s more, it will alert security guards straight away.

The Cambridge firm Audio Analytic has produced software, which can analyse the pitch, tone and intonation of noises and work out if they pose a threat.

“Our system … Original article on : Now, CCTV that can ’sense’ aggression from sound.

Fat dads may lower chances of pregnancy

WASHINGTON – The chances of success in assisted reproductive technology drops if the father is overweight, according to a new study.

Experts have revealed that for couples using IVF, an overweight dad may lower the chances of pregnancy, reports ABC News.

According to the study, conducted by Dr Zaher Merhi of Albert Einstein College of Medicine …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fat dads may lower chances of pregnancy.

Behavioral feedback enhances online weight program

WASHINGTON – Internet might offer communities a low-cost way to motivate their overweight residents to lose pounds, a new study has suggested.

The new study evaluated a community weight loss campaign in Rhode Island called Shape Up RI-an annual campaign to help Rhode Islanders lose weight and increase physical activity through an online competition held …. Source  : Behavioral feedback enhances online weight program.

Male spiders prefer virginity to size

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that male spiders that get to have sex only once or twice in their lives are far more interested in a female spider’s virginity than in her size.

Most male wasp spiders have only a single shot at love because their female partners eat them right after copulation.

Even those … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Male spiders prefer virginity to size.

Coming soon: Captcha adverts you just can’t ignore

WASHINGTON – Here’s some good news for advertisers: It would now be difficult to take eyes off your work.

Some ads on the websites you visit could soon be impossible to ignore, as they will be integrated into the ‘captchas’ used to check whether site visitors are human, reports New Scientist.

With many web users using tools …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Coming soon: Captcha adverts you just can’t ignore.

Similar racial backgrounds ‘don’t forge friendships on Facebook’

WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that race is no longer the strongest predictor of friendship between two people, at least not on Facebook.

“Sociologists have long maintained that race is the strongest predictor of whether two Americans will socialize,” said Andreas Wimmer, a sociologist at UCLA.

“But we’ve found that birds of a feather don’t always …. Source article  : Similar racial backgrounds ‘don’t forge friendships on Facebook’.

Flamingos use preening oil to brighten up, attract mates

LONDON – A preening oil which flamingos use to waterproof their feathers also brightens them up, says a new study. Applied most frequently and vigorously just ahead of the breeding season, it seems the birds, like humans, use make-up to attract a mate!

Rubbed onto the neck, breast and back, the pigments in the waxy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Flamingos use preening oil to brighten up, attract mates.

Sunny Sunday, but Delhi expects cloudy evening

NEW DELHI – The sun shone through a misty morning, making for a bright day in Delhi Sunday. The weather office, however, predicted cloudy skies in the evening.

“It will be a partly cloudy sky in the evening, though rains are not expected,” an official of the India Meteorological Department.
The minimum temperature was a … Read more : Sunny Sunday, but Delhi expects cloudy evening.

Adultery sites reveal secrets of human nature

WASHINGTON – For all those who think the adultery website AshleyMadison.com is good only for two-timers, think again – it can reveal our true nature too, according to a new study.

To study infidelity, researchers scanned publicly accessible ads from 200 men and 200 women chosen at random from the site.

“The study of adultery is important …. Original source  : Adultery sites reveal secrets of human nature.

Talking with others in a friendly way improves mental function

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that talking with other people in a friendly way can make it easier to solve common problems.

However, the new University of Michigan study also states that conversations, which are competitive in tone, rather than cooperative, have no cognitive benefits.

“This study shows that simply talking to other people, the … Read : Talking with others in a friendly way improves mental function.

How the brain forms habits

WASHINGTON – A new study from MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research has shown that brain’s habit formation appears to be an innate ability that is fine-tuned by experience- specifically, the costs and rewards of certain choices.

Neuroscientists led by Institute Professor Ann Graybiel found that untrained monkeys performing a simple visual scanning task gradually developed … Read more : How the brain forms habits.