Science News – Newsletter for November 8, 2010

Helmets don’t contribute to road safety: Research

MELBOURNE – A research conducted by University of Sydney suggests that forcing people to wear bike helmets is of no use in road safety measures.

The biggest drop in head injuries among bike riders occurred before helmet use was required by law, said Associate Professor Chris Rissel.

“Subsequent … Read more : Helmets don’t contribute to road safety: Research.

Genes determine a lot more than just our looks

WASHINGTON – A study has suggested that the two sets of chromosomes we humans inherit from our parents do not only determine our physical traits but also how we develop.

Dr Christopher Gregg, a Human Frontiers Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Molecular … Original article on : Genes determine a lot more than just our looks.

Sweetened drinks up risk of gout in women: Study

WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that sweetened drinks can increase the risk of gout in women.

Women who consume fructose-rich beverages, such as sugar-sweetened soft drinks and orange juice, are at an increased risk for gout, according to research … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sweetened drinks up risk of gout in women: Study.

Bionic implants melding man and machine

LONDON – A range of recently unveiled bionic implants have converted the science-fiction fantasy of the ‘bionic-man’ into a tantalising real-life possibility.

Take the case of Miikka Terho, a man born without eyesight, who was one of three patients who had their sight temporarily restored by a bionic-eye – artificial light sensors and microchips placed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bionic implants melding man and machine.

Scientists create ‘mini Big Bang’ to unravel atom’s mysteries

LONDON – The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has succeeded in creating a miniature version of the Big Bang by smashing stripped-down lead atoms together.

The reaction created temperatures a million times hotter than the sun’s core. Such high temperatures have not been reached since the first billionth of a second following the Big Bang …. Source  : Scientists create ‘mini Big Bang’ to unravel atom’s mysteries.

Study clears misconception linked to joint pain from breast cancer drugs

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that women can continue popping aromatase inhibitors (AI), popular breast cancer drugs, as these drugs do have any risk of inflammatory arthritis or autoimmune disease, as previously thought.

For many post-menopausal women with breast cancer promoted by the hormone estrogen, … Read : Study clears misconception linked to joint pain from breast cancer drugs.

High levels of uric acid linked to high blood pressure

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that people with high levels of uric acid in their blood are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

Hyperuricemia is an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood that can lead to gout.

Researchers conducted an analysis of 18 studies … Read more : High levels of uric acid linked to high blood pressure.

Vitamin D ‘doesn’t help knee osteoarthritis sufferers’

WASHINGTON – Increasing intake of vitamin D is not likely to slow the progression knee osteoarthritis, a new study has revealed.

Osteoarthritis, or OA as it is commonly called, is the most common joint disease affecting middle age and older people.

The researchers divided participants evenly into two …. Original source  : Vitamin D ‘doesn’t help knee osteoarthritis sufferers’.

Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Delayed Again

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) — The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery is delayed again and is scheduled on 30th November as stated by NASA officials. The launch was delayed, that was scheduled on Friday due to a hydrogen gas leak at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate.
According to NASA officials, the next date to launch the much …. Original source  : Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Delayed Again.

Study reveals how ageing impacts the brain

LONDON – A Swedish research has suggested that measuring the lactic acid levels in the brain could reveal the aging process, in mice at least.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, have revealed that a build-up of the chemical in the brain was a hallmark of the ageing process, reports the New Scientist.

Jaime Ross and his … Read more »»».

Egyptian secrets of sun worship revealed in new discovery

CHICAGO – Egyptologist Barry Kemp has said that the artefacts unearthed recently from an ancient burial site in the city of Amarna shed light on the existence of sun worship in ancient Egypt.

The findings indicate that Amarna was a sun-worshipping city, said Kemp.

“Archaeology is a moving frontier. There are always more questions and uncertainties, as … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Egyptian secrets of sun worship revealed in new discovery.

Statins of ‘no use for general pediatric lupus population’

WASHINGTON – Routinely using statins doesn’t provide enough benefit to warrant their regular use in children and adolescents, reports a study.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes widespread inflammation and organ damage. Children with lupus show early signs of atherosclerosis-the fatty tissue buildup that is the precursor to clogged arteries.

Statins were the obvious choice … Read more »»».

10 commandments of Facebook

LONDON – Wonder how much of personal information is fine on Facebook? Well, an expert tells you the dos and don’ts of being a part of the social networking giant.

Dave Whitelegg said that although Facebook is a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family, it can also be dangerous.

“Posting certain photos or … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 10 commandments of Facebook.

New test ‘to triple’ chances of IVF success

LONDON – A new screening technique developed by UK-based researchers could double or triple current IVF success rates.

The test allows for any chromosomal abnormalities, the biggest cause of early pregnancy loss, to be picked up in embryos before they are re-implanted.

The test allows the viability of embroys to be tested without damaging them.

“Before we would …. Original article  : New test ‘to triple’ chances of IVF success.

What goes on in a woman’s mind during an orgasm

LONDON – Sneak-a-peek inside a woman’s brain while she is having orgasm would now be possible, thanks to a scan developed by American scientists.

Rutgers University researchers have discovered that sexual arousal numbs the female nervous system to such an extent that she doesn’t feel as much pain-only pleasure.

Orgasm affects up to 30 different parts of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : What goes on in a woman’s mind during an orgasm.

Tai Chi improves arthritis pain, fatigue, stiffness: Study

WASHINGTON – Participants who were recruited in the largest study of the Arthritis Foundation’s Tai Chi program, have shown improvement in pain, fatigue, stiffness and sense of well-being.

Their ability to reach while maintaining balance also improved, said Leigh Callahan, the study’s lead author, associate professor in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School … Read more : Tai Chi improves arthritis pain, fatigue, stiffness: Study.

Scientists turn human skin into blood!

LONDON – Scientists at McMaster University have discovered how to make human blood from adult human skin.

The breakthrough could mean that in the foreseeable future people needing blood for surgery, cancer treatment or treatment of other blood conditions like anemia will be able to have blood created from a patch of their own skin to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists turn human skin into blood!.

Plenty of sex means longer lives for men!

LONDON – An active sex life is the key to a longer life for men only if they are faithful to their partners, a new research has found.

Italian medical researchers have found that a healthy sex life means fewer cardiovascular problems for men.

“What was evident from the research was that men who had active sex …. Read the original article  : Plenty of sex means longer lives for men!.

Caffeinated drinks linked to increased risk of gout attacks

WASHINGTON – People who drink caffeinated drinks are at an increased risk of recurrent gout attacks, suggests a new study.

Long-term caffeine intake has been associated with a decreased risk for gout attacks.

However, in the short-term, caffeine has been found to increase uric acid, which can potentially trigger an attack.

In a study, researchers studied 633 … Read more >>.

Erectile dysfunction drug ‘could prevent hand, finger ulcers’

WASHINGTON – A research has suggested that adding tadalafil to the treatment of people with scleroderma can improve Raynaud’s phenomenon symptoms and heal and prevent hand and finger ulcers associated with it.

Scleroderma is a rheumatic disease that results in the thickening and tightening of skin, as well as a build-up of scar tissue and damage …. Source  : Erectile dysfunction drug ‘could prevent hand, finger ulcers’.