‘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.