Science News – Weekly Newsletter for November 1-8, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Screening test for depression in adolescents gets green signal
WASHINGTON – Screening depression in adolescents would now get easier-thanks to a new test that has been approved by researchers.
University of Washington researchers, Seattle Children’s, and Group Health Health report has suggested that the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item) is a good screening test for major depression in adolescents.
Led by Laura P. Richardson, the team … Read more >>.
‘Glowing’ plant cells that could control cell growth, death
LONDON – Researchers have genetically inserted proteins from plants into mammalian cells, which glow when exposed to blue light – resulting in a novel ‘on-off switch’ that could be used to control cell growth or death.
It could also be useful in growing new tissue or deliver doses of medication directly to diseased cells.
Chandra Tucker of … Read more >>>.
Potato crisps could end global water woes!
LONDON – Water extracted from potatoes before turning them into crisps is being proposed as an innovative way to boost water supplies.
Food giant PepsiCo, which owns the crisp manufacturer Walkers, is developing a new technology to extract water from potatoes, reports the Telegraph.
The company is developing a process to capture water released from the potatoes …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Potato crisps could end global water woes!.
Daylight Saving Time 2010 in US and UK
LONDON (GaeaTimes.com) — Daylight Saving Time is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks so that afternoons have more daylight than morning. This is done primarily to conserve energy.
During spring time clocks are adjusted forward one hour and are adjusted backward in fall. So when is Daylight Saving Time 2010? When should we change our …. Source : Daylight Saving Time 2010 in US and UK.
How protein ‘assassin’ kills rogue cells in our bodies
LONDON – A new study has discovered how a protein ‘assassin’ called perforin punches holes in, and kills, rogue cells in our bodies.
“Perforin is our body’s weapon of cleansing and death,” Nature quoted project leader Prof James Whisstock from Monash University, as saying.
“It breaks into cells that have been hijacked by viruses or turned into …. Source : Gaea News Network.
5,000-year-old tomb complex unearthed on Orkney Islands
LONDON – Archaeologists on Orkney have discovered a 5,000-year-old tomb complex, which contains skulls in it.
There is a large Neolithic burial complex nearby called The Tomb of the Eagles where over 300 bodies were found.
“Potentially these skeletons could tell us so much about Neolithic people. Not only in relation to their deaths, but their lives,” … Read more »»».
Oz researchers discover ‘new seahorse species’
NEW DELHI – Researchers at the James Cook University (JCU) have apparently discovered a tiny new species of seahorse in the north of Queensland.
The scientists were on a weeklong expedition about 200 kilometres off Cairns of state Queensland, looking at corals and the creatures that live in the “twilight zone” – an area between 30 … Read : Oz researchers discover ‘new seahorse species’.
Silica on mars volcano indicates wet and cozy past on ‘Red Planet’
LONDON – Three billion years old light-coloured piles of hydrated silica on a volcanic cone are the evidence of most recent habitable microenvironments on Mars, observes NASA.
NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has found that the mounds’ composition and their location on the flanks of a volcanic is the best evidence for an intact deposit from a …. Read the original article : Silica on mars volcano indicates wet and cozy past on ‘Red Planet’.
China makes its first indigenous fire trucks
BEIJING – China has built its first ever indigenous fire trucks and will release these to the provinces early next year. The country had earlier either imported or modified ordinary trucks into fire engines.
Chinese automaker China First Automobile Works Group (CFAWG), based in Changchun city in Jilin province will deliver 106 indigenously-developed fire engines …. Original article : China makes its first indigenous fire trucks.
High tech stroke therapy treatment to enter export market
NEW ZEALAND – Kiwi developers, who developed a device that may give fresh hope to stroke and brain injury survivors have big plans for their product’s entrance into the lucrative export market.
The device allows stroke victims to play simple video games using an “air mouse” attached to a handlebar wirelessly connected to a computer.
Able-X is … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : High tech stroke therapy treatment to enter export market.
Orissa bans fishing near turtle nesting sites
BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Monday imposed a seven-month fishing ban along 120 km of the state’s 480 km coastline to protect tens of thousands of Olive Ridley turtles, which coming to the beaches for mass nesting every winter.
The state government has directed the trawlers and boatmen not to carry out any fishing activity within 20 …. Source article : Orissa bans fishing near turtle nesting sites.
Mozart’s music helps break down sewage!
SYDNEY – A German company is monitoring the trial of a sound system that replicates the vibrations and sounds of the concert hall which, when combined with oxygen, helps break down sewage.
Sydney Water is monitoring the trial.
The process being tested involves a stereo sound system developed by a private company, Mundus. It claims the sound …. Read the original article : Mozart’s music helps break down sewage!.
Why kids see a bear or a dog when they see a cloud
LONDON – A new study by Brit scientist has found that children do not see objects in a fully grown-up way until the age of 13.
While adult brains can assume that light comes from above when they have to judge whether shaded images are convex or concave, young children have to learn this ability, reports …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Why kids see a bear or a dog when they see a cloud.
3000-yr-old axe heads, spear tips found in Essex dig
LONDON – A collection of Bronze Age axe heads, spear tips and other 3,000-year-old metal objects has been unearthed in Essex.
The items include an intact pottery container with heavy contents, which has been removed undisturbed.
“This is a really exciting find,” the BBC quoted archaeologist Laura McLean, as saying.
“To find a hoard still located in its …. Source : Gaea News Network.
ATTN EDITOR
Ref File name : 1int18
Head Line : Mozart music may help microbes clear sewage
Kill the story
… Read more »»».
Mozart music may help microbes clear sewage
MELBOURNE – Believe it or not! Musical notes of 18th century maestro Mozart is now being tested whether it can boost the activity of micro-organisms in breaking down biosolids.
A German company is testing a sound system that replicates the vibrations and sounds of the concert hall which, when combined with oxygen, helps break down …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Mozart music may help microbes clear sewage.
UN chief asks China to reduce pollution
BEIJING – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said seven of the world’s top 10 polluted cities are in China and stressed that the country needs to have a hold over its growing environmental footprint.
He asked China to focus on sustainable development, China Daily reported Monday.
Addressing students of Nanjing University in Jiangsu province, … Read more »»».
Light fog in Delhi, cloudy day likely
NEW DELHI – The stage seemed set for winter in Delhi Monday with a light fog and the weather office predicting partly cloudy skies later in the day.
The sky will remain partly cloudy with the possibility of thunder towards the evening, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
“The maximum temperature will … Read more >>>.
Indonesian volcano erupts again
JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Mount Merapi sent out new eruptions of hot ash Monday morning, sparking fresh panic among nearby villagers, officials and media reports said.
Rescue workers in Boyolali district, about 10 km from the 2,968-metre peak, were evacuating the area even as some villagers were returning from shelters to feed livestock or check on …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Indonesian volcano erupts again.
10 years at home on the International Space Station
WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the world will celebrate the space station’s tenth birthday – the longest period of time of continuous human habitation outside Earth’s atmosphere.
It began Nov 2, 2000, when an American and a Russian astronaut floated side by side into the International Space Station that orbits more than 300 km above Earth’s …. Source : Gaea News Network.
ISRO to focus on sustainable development, healthcare
NEW DELHI – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will focus on environment and sustainable development and healthcare using innovative technologies, its chairman K. Radhakrishnan said here Tuesday.
“The future thrust areas for ISRO will be in food and water security, weather and climate, environment and ecosystem, sustainable development, education and healthcare,” Radhakrishnan said.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at : ISRO to focus on sustainable development, healthcare.
Massive, carnivorous “shrimp”‘may not be Earth’s first predator’
WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that the infamous, carnivorous “shrimp” that is considered Earth’s first great predator may, in fact, be not.
A new 3-D modeling of the mouth parts of the Anomalocaris shows that the creature had flexible, not hard, parts and could not have been munching on the hard shells of trilobites and … Original article on : Massive, carnivorous “shrimp” ‘may not be Earth’s first predator’.
Anger makes us want things more
WASHINGTON – Anger is usually considered a negative thing, but it also has some of the features of positive emotions.
A new study has found that associating an object with anger actually makes people want the object-a kind of motivation that’s normally associated with positive emotions.
People usually think of anger as a negative emotion. … Original article on : Anger makes us want things more.
Long-standing mystery behind Saturn’s rings solved
WASHINGTON – Images captured by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft have finally revealed the answer to the perplexing behaviour of one of the most dynamic regions in Saturn’s rings.
The answer is: the rings are behaving like a spiral galaxy. Images of the B ring’s outer edge have also revealed at least two perturbed regions above the ring … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Long-standing mystery behind Saturn’s rings solved.
‘Mysterious, jiggly alien pod’ found in Virginia lake
WASHINGTON – An employee at Home Technologies in City Center at Oyster Point saw a large, mysterious blob floating in the Center’s manmade lake.
Co-worker Dale Leonart’s initial guess was that “it has to be an alien pod.”
Pictures of the blob was sent to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, along with an … Read more : ‘Mysterious, jiggly alien pod’ found in Virginia lake.
Drunk bar manager eaten alive by lions
LONDON – A bar manager was eaten alive by lions after he wanted to play with them following an all-night party at a wildlife park in South Africa, it was reported here.
Thirty-year-old Jan-Friederick Bredenhand was dragged into the lions’ complex by his legs after he climbed up a fence pole. He was then “ripped … Read more »»».
People aren’t accurate at predicting how they’ll feel after an event: Study
WASHINGTON – A new research has concluded that people aren’t very accurate at predicting how good or bad they’ll feel after an event-such as watching their team lose the big game or getting a flat-screen TV.
But afterwards, they “misremember” what they predicted, revising their prognostications after the fact to match how they actually feel.
Although … Read more >>.
Fresh evidence links mobile phone use to brain tumours
WASHINGTON – Evidence from a study on the effects of long-term exposure to microwaves from cellular phones has suggested that it could lead to an increased risk of brain tumours.
Though the debate on the effects of long-term use of cellular or cordless phones continues, independent studies have strongly suggested that there is an increased risk …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Fresh evidence links mobile phone use to brain tumours.
UV light doubles vacuum’s effectiveness in removing carpet microbes
WASHINGTON – Addition of ultraviolet light to the brushing and suction of a vacuum cleaner can almost double the removal of potentially infectious microorganisms from a carpet’s surface when compared to vacuuming alone, suggests a new research.
Researchers say the findings suggest that incorporating the germicidal properties of UV light into vacuuming might have promise in … Read more >>>.
Compounds offer novel approach to fight cancer
WASHINGTON – A study has indicated that a class of compounds that interferes with cell signaling pathways may provide a new approach to cancer treatment.
The compounds, called PITs (non-phosphoinositide PIP3 inhibitors), limited tumor growth in mice by inducing cell death.
“PITs cause cells to self-destruct by interfering with the signaling pathways that regulate cell survival. As …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Compounds offer novel approach to fight cancer.
Depression recurs in about half of treated adolescent patients
WASHINGTON – A report has shown that most depressed teens who receive treatment appear to recover, but the condition recurs in almost half of adolescent patients and even more often among females.
Major depressive disorder affects approximately 5.9 percent of teen females and 4.6 percent of teen males, according to background information in the article.
John …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Depression recurs in about half of treated adolescent patients.
Learning to swim ‘could make kids smarter’
MELBOURNE – Queensland researchers believe that learning to swim could make children smarter.
A Griffith University research project will examine over 10,000 kids aged up to five to find out if swimming advances physical, social, intellectual and language development.
Professor Robyn Jorgensen said anecdotal evidence found swimmers tended to be more confident than same-age, non-swimming peers.
She said …. Original article : Learning to swim ‘could make kids smarter’.
Heavy rains claim 16 lives in Andhra
HYDERABAD – Heavy rains in coastal Andhra Pradesh have claimed 16 lives and damaged crops in over 100,000 acres even as the threat of cyclonic storm looms large over the state, officials said Tuesday.
Dozens of villages and residential areas in several towns remained inundated as rains continued to cause havoc in north and south … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Heavy rains claim 16 lives in Andhra.
‘Introspection’ brain networks fully formed in newborn babies
WASHINGTON – Brain areas thought to be involved in introspection and other aspects of consciousness are fully formed in newborn babies, a new study has found.
The new research challenges some previous theories about brain’s
activity and how the brain develops.
Researchers led by a team from the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London used …. Source : ‘Introspection’ brain networks fully formed in newborn babies.
Males more considerate than previously thought
WASHINGTON – It looks like males are more considerate than imagined – at least, in nematode worms.
A new study showed that male worms plug females after copulation as a form of ‘gift’, rather than to prevent them from mating again, as had previously been thought.
Researchers found that plugged females mated just as often and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Males more considerate than previously thought.
Bacteria can lead to evolution of new species
LONDON – A new study has suggested that bacteria that live on the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster can affect their host’s choice of mate by altering the fly’s pheromones.
This in turn could lead to the evolution of new fly species – suggesting that bacteria can indirectly change the species of their hosts, reports Nature.
Eugene Rosenberg, a …. Source : Bacteria can lead to evolution of new species.
‘Cloud seeding’ to encourage rainfall ‘not as effective as thought’
WASHINGTON – New research from Tel Aviv University has revealed that the practice of cloud seeding with materials such as silver iodide and frozen carbon dioxide may not be as effective as thought.
During the course of his study, Prof. Alpert and his colleagues looked over fifty years’ worth of data on cloud seeding in a …. Source : Gaea News Network.
How fat hormone guards against stress-induced heart damage
WASHINGTON – Scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have discovered how a cardioprotective hormone called adiponectin prevents stress-induced damage in the heart.
“Whereas healthy people usually have high adiponectin levels circulating in their bodies, obese fat is different from healthy fat. Obese fat produces less adiponectin, reflected in lower levels of adiponectin found in serum,” explained …. Original article : How fat hormone guards against stress-induced heart damage.
Sexually abused ‘at higher risk of developing psychotic disorders’
WASHINGTON – Children who are sexually abused, especially if it involves penetration, are at higher risk for developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, according to an Australian study.
Margaret C. Cutajar, D.Psych., M.A.P.S., of Monash University, Victoria, Australia, and colleagues linked data from police and medical examinations of sexual abuse cases to a statewide register of …. Original article : Sexually abused ‘at higher risk of developing psychotic disorders’.
Email storm ‘leads to workplace stress’
SYDNEY – An IBM survey has found that the welter of emails arriving at workstations is a key contributor to workplace stress.
The survey of 629 managers found 45 per cent agree that having too many irrelevant emails in their inbox makes for a stressful workplace.
Seven per cent find it very stressful, whilst half of respondents …. Source : Email storm ‘leads to workplace stress’.
This speed camera can snap you for other offences too
LONDON – Even the most law-abiding driver may become jittery at the sight of this speed camera. For it not only detects speed, it also measures the distance between vehicles to spot possible tailgating and takes pictures to make sure you are wearing a seat belt.
The camera is also packed with gizmos that check [..] Read the original article: here.
Delhi to monitor pollution levels on Diwali
NEW DELHI – Strict monitoring of noise and air pollution will be done this Diwali, with the Delhi government putting up six air monitoring systems in the capital.
The systems have come up at R.K. Puram, Mandir Marg, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Civil Lines, Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh to measure pollution levels Nov …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Lactate levels in brain help in monitoring aging process
WASHINGTON – Scientists have demonstrated that they may be able to monitor the aging process in the brain, by using MRI technique to measure the brain lactic acid levels.
The findings from Karolinska Institute scientists suggest that the lactate levels increase in advance of other aging symptoms, and … Read more >>.
Female bonding among dolphins makes for good moms
SYDNEY – Female dolphins who have help from their same sex friends are far more successful as mothers than those without such help.
The finding is based on 25 years of field observations by an international team led by Bill Sherwin of the University of New South Wales School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Female bonding among dolphins makes for good moms.
Genetic elements that influence risk of type-2 diabetes identified
WASHINGTON – Scientists have captured the most comprehensive snapshot to date of DNA regions that regulate genes in human pancreatic islet cells, a subset of which produces insulin.
The study by a team of scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute …. Original source : Genetic elements that influence risk of type-2 diabetes identified.
Gastric bypass ‘alters preference for sweet substances’
WASHINGTON – Penn State College of Medicine researchers have found that gastric bypass surgery decreases the preference for sweet-tasting substances in obese rats.
The study could help in developing safer treatments for the morbidly obese.
“Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is the most … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gastric bypass ‘alters preference for sweet substances’.
Macrophage protein plays major role in inflammation
WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered that a multi-tasking protein called FoxO1 has another important but previously unknown function: It directly interacts with macrophages, promoting an inflammatory response that can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.
Contrarily, [..] Read the original article: here.
Mouse model confirms mutated protein plays role in dementia
LONDON – A new mouse model that confirms that mutations of a protein called beta-synuclein promote neurodegeneration has been created by a team of scientists from Japan and the University of California, San …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Students who think about future in high school attain higher education
WASHINGTON – A recent study has concluded that students who have high aspirations and put thought into their futures during their high school years tend to reach higher levels of educational attainment.
And what’s a significant factor in those goals and …. Read the original article : Students who think about future in high school attain higher education.
‘Exotic’ superconductor with metallic surface discovered
LONDON – A Princeton University-led research team has discovered a new material with a split personality – part superconductor, part metal.
The discovery may have implications for the development of next-generation electronics that could transform the way information is stored and processed.
The new material – a crystal …. Original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Exotic’ superconductor with metallic surface discovered.
Nature-nurture secrets revealed by bees
WASHINGTON – The long-standing debate of nature-nurture is one step closer to being resolved – all thanks to bees.
Scientists at The Australian National University’s College of Medicine studied bees and documented how environmental inputs can modify our genetic hardware.
Their work reveals …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Brain’s ability to ‘pay attention’ diminishes with age
WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that visual attention-the brain’s ability to selectively filter unattended or unwanted information from reaching awareness-weakens with age, leaving elder people incapable of sifting out useless information.
The University of Toronto …. Read the original article : Brain’s ability to ‘pay attention’ diminishes with age.
Electronic implants to give sight back to blind
LONDON – Electronic implants that would help in restoring vision to people with retinal dystrophy-a hereditary or age-related condition that leads to blindness-may soon become a reality, thanks to US and German scientists.
The condition causes degeneration of the photoreceptors – light-sensitive cells in the retina-and leads to blindness.
Eberthart Zrenner and …. Source : Electronic implants to give sight back to blind.
Soon, it would be possible to ‘delete painful memories’!
LONDON – It might sound like a scene straight from a science fiction flick, but scientists claim they have found a way to permanently delete painful memories from the mind.
John Hopkins University researchers said the find could lead to drugs for post-traumatic stress disorder.
“When a traumatic event occurs, it creates a fearful memory … Read : Soon, it would be possible to ‘delete painful memories’!.
How plants and soil fungi turned Earth ‘green’ over 470 mn yrs ago
LONDON – Experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Imperial College London and the University of Sydney have learnt how ancient plants and soil fungi turned the Earth green over 470 million years ago.
The study showed that an ancient plant group worked together with soil-dwelling fungi to ‘green’ … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How plants and soil fungi turned Earth ‘green’ over 470 mn yrs ago.
Neanderthals were more promiscuous than modern humans
WASHINGTON – Scientists from universities of Southampton and Calgary have discovered that Neanderthals were much more promiscuous than people today.
The scientists examined finger ratios from fossilised skeletal remains of early apes and extinct hominins to reveal … Read : Neanderthals were more promiscuous than modern humans.
Fruit fly study reveals molecular link between obesity, heart disease
WASHINGTON – Scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have created a simple model using fruitflies to link high-fat diet, obesity and heart dysfunction.
They discovered that a protein called TOR influences fat accumulation in the heart and that manipulating TOR protects the hearts …. Source article : Fruit fly study reveals molecular link between obesity, heart disease.
Galactic clouds could help us trace Sun’s journey through space
MELBOURNE – Scientists may have found a new tool to trace the Sun’s journey through our galaxy, the Milky Way.
It takes the Sun and its family of planets about 220 million years to complete each orbit of the galaxy, but it can be quite difficult to …. Original source : Galactic clouds could help us trace Sun’s journey through space.
Ancient walls that protected Sphinx from desert winds uncovered
WASHINGTON – Egyptian Archaeologists have uncovered large sections of mud brick walls from the sands of the Giza plateau on which the Sphinx and the three great pyramids stand.
The walls were discovered during routine excavation work near the valley temple of the Fourth Dynasty …. Source : Ancient walls that protected Sphinx from desert winds uncovered.
DHA ‘fish oil’ supplements ‘not useful for those with mild Alzheimer’s’
WASHINGTON – In a new study, experts from Oregon Health and Science University discovered that omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements did not seem to slow cognitive, functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Some studies have found that consumption … Read this article on Gaea Times at : DHA ‘fish oil’ supplements ‘not useful for those with mild Alzheimer’s’.
Italy carries out world’s first robotically-assisted pancreatic transplant
LONDON – Doctors from Pisa Hospital have conducted the world’s first robotically-assisted pancreatic transplant on a woman in Italy.
The team performed the operation on a 43-year-old mother-of-two who had suffered from type one diabetes for 19 years and had already had a kidney transplant.
She suffered no complications following the three-hour procedure and was discharged from …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Babies born by caesarean ‘are calmer’
LONDON – A Chinese research has revealed that babies born by caesarean are calmer and more peaceful as compared to babies born normally.
Researchers said that babies who are born through a difficult birth involving forceps or a suction cup are more likely to develop behavioural problems than those born through caesarean section, reports the Daily …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Plants engineered to produce new drugs
LONDON – By genetically engineering plants to produce unnatural variants of their usual products, MIT chemists have discovered a new way to expand plants’ pharmaceutical repertoire.
The researchers, led by Associate Professor Sarah O’Connor, have added bacterial genes to the periwinkle plant, enabling it to attach halogens such as chlorine or bromine to a class of …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Plants engineered to produce new drugs.
Specific changes in the brain linked to sleep deprivation
WASHINGTON – Scientists have published the most systematic study to date of the effects of sleep deprivation on gene expression in the brain.
The findings have implications for improving the understanding and management of the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on brain function.
The study, available in Frontiers in Neuroscience, has created an extensive and detailed …. Read the original article : Specific changes in the brain linked to sleep deprivation.
Meditation training improves cellular health of the body
WASHINGTON – Scientists have revealed that positive psychological changes that occur during meditation training are associated with greater activity of telomerase, an enzyme important for the long-term health of cells in the body.
The study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the University of California, San Francisco is the first to link positive …. Original article : Meditation training improves cellular health of the body.
Video-game technology may accelerate new drugs’ development
WASHINGTON – A new technology used in video games may help in speeding the development of new products and potentially life-saving drugs.
C and EN Associate Editor Lauren K. Wolf notes that consumer demand for life-like avatars and interactive scenery has pushed computer firms to develop inexpensive yet sophisticated graphics hardware called graphics processing units, or …. Original article : Video-game technology may accelerate new drugs’ development.
Wearing multifocal contact lenses may reduce vision for driving at night
WASHINGTON – Older adults who wear multifocal contact lenses to correct problems with near vision, a very common condition that increases with age, may have greater difficulty driving at night than their counterparts who wear glasses, says a new study.
Age-related problems with near vision, medically termed presbyopia, usually occurs after the age of 40 and …. Read the original article : here.
New compounds may effectively treat both alcohol, cigarette addictions
WASHINGTON – Alcohol and nicotine dependence can be treated simultaneously with the help of two new compounds, says a research.
Researchers at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at the University of California and Pfizer Inc. have determined that two new compounds may be effective in treating both the addictions at the same time.
46pc of international travelers not aware of potential health risks
WASHINGTON – Half of those travelling internationally not aware of potential health risks, says a new study.
More than 30 million people in the United States travel to resource-limited areas of the world each year. This global mobility may contribute to the spread of infectious diseases – such as influenza, measles, and meningitis – and may …. Read the original article : 46pc of international travelers not aware of potential health risks.
Language influences our implicit preferences: Study
WASHINGTON – A study has suggested that the language we speak may influence not only our thoughts, but our implicit preferences as well.
Psychologists at Harvard University found that bilingual individuals’ opinions of different ethnic groups were affected by the language in which they took a test examining their biases and predilections.
“This study suggests that language …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Language influences our implicit preferences: Study.
Scientists identify target for stroke therapy drugs
LONDON – Californian scientists have identified a potential new target to reduce stroke damage in patients.
They found that blocking a molecule, which stops brain cells working properly after a stroke, could help people recover better.
The researchers, from the University of California in Los Angeles, said that doing this in mice helped reverse the effects of … Original article on : Scientists identify target for stroke therapy drugs.
World’s first 3D printed fully functioning hybrid car
MELBOURNE – Two firms in the US have collaborated to develop a car built entirely by a 3D printer.
Urbee was made using additive manufacturing processes, which prints layer upon layer of material to create a product.
Many manufacturers, including aeroplane giant Boeing, print their parts, but this is the first time an entire machine prototype has … Read more >>.
Stressed plants and animals ‘keys to better stock market predictions’
WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that stock markets react to crisis in a similar way to plants and the human body.
An extensive analysis of biological and financial data has suggested that systems under stress exhibit similar symptoms, whether they are polluted forests, cancer patients or the FTSE 100.
The new findings have suggested that …. Original source : Stressed plants and animals ‘keys to better stock market predictions’.
Autism study reveals how genetic changes rewire the brain
WASHINGTON – Scientists have demystified how genetic variants rewire the brain and it could help in finding therapies for rebalancing the brain’s circuitry in early development.
Using a blend of brain imaging and genetic detective work, the discovery of the scientists at the University of California has offered the missing physical evidence that links altered genes … Read : Autism study reveals how genetic changes rewire the brain.
Updated ‘catastrophe calculator’ estimates asteroid impacts
LONDON – Wondering what would happen if a 10km-wide asteroid came out of the sky and slammed down on your city? Well, now you can find the answer, thanks to the updated version of the impact effects calculator.
Scientists at Purdue University and Imperial College London first produced it in 2004. Users can now dial in …. Original article : Updated ‘catastrophe calculator’ estimates asteroid impacts.
‘Star Wars’ 3D holograms may soon be a reality
LONDON – The 3D hologram you saw in ‘Star Wars’ may soon become a reality, thanks to a new breakthrough made by researchers at the University of Arizona.
The researchers have developed a holographic system that can transmit a series of 3D images in near-real-time, a precursor to holographic videoconferencing, that would eventually let us interact … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Star Wars’ 3D holograms may soon be a reality.
Now a camera to check multiple traffic violations
LONDON – Motorists in Europe would find it hard to escape penalty for violating traffic rules. A new camera will detect not just speed but it can also peep inside to check if the driver wears seat belt or talks on mobile phones.
Apart from detecting speeding, the lates weapon in speed camera technology is …. Read the original article : here.
New material brings Harry Potter style ‘invisibility cloak’ a step closer
WASHINGTON – Scottish researchers have made a practical breakthrough that brings the possibility of an invisibility cardigan – or any other item of invisibility clothing – one step closer.
Two challenges to the creation of smart flexible materials that can cloak from visible light are making meta-atoms small enough to interact with visible light, and …. Source article on Gaea Times at : New material brings Harry Potter style ‘invisibility cloak’ a step closer.
Goat delivers test tube twins
FARAH – A goat, which had been artificially implanted with fertilised eggs through in-vitro technique, has delivered twins at a research institute in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district.
Scientists at the Central Goat Research Institute near here successfully delivered the twins of the goat. The male has been named Ajaat and female Ajaati. The mother … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Goat delivers test tube twins.
Pompeii’s mystery horse is actually a donkey
POMPEII – The strange breed of ‘horse’ that was discovered in 2004, at Pompeii, was actually a donkey, Cambridge University researchers have found.
In 2004 when academics unearthed skeletons found at a house in the ancient Roman town that was covered in ashes in 79 AD, they thought it belonged to an extinct breed of horse, …. Source : Gaea News Network.
New way to peer at hidden distant galaxies
WASHINGTON – Using the world’s largest space telescope, ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory, a UK-led team has discovered a new way of locating a natural phenomenon that acts like a zoom lens, allowing astronomers to peer at galaxies in the distant and early Universe.
The magnification created … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New way to peer at hidden distant galaxies.
Human mind uses syntax to interpret actions: Study
WASHINGTON – Just like the familiar concept that sentences have syntax, our actions have syntax, too; when we watch someone else do something, we assemble their actions to mean something, a new study has suggested.
“There are oceans and oceans of …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Human mind uses syntax to interpret actions: Study.
Burning pain, itching linked to same nerve cells
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that itching and burning pain are governed by similar nerve cells.
In the study, performed on mice, the research team led by Klas Kullander at the Department of Neuroscience examined the nerve cells that transfer heat pain.
When these nerve cells had lost its …. Read the original article : Burning pain, itching linked to same nerve cells.
Gene discovery supports handedness, language-related disorders link
WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a genetic variant, which influences whether a person with dyslexia is more skilled with either the left or right hand.
The finding identifies a novel gene for handedness and provides the first genetic evidence to support a much-speculated link between … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gene discovery supports handedness, language-related disorders link.
8 new plant species discovered in Boliva national parks
WASHINGTON – Missouri Botanical Garden botanists have discovered eight new plant species in northern Bolivia.
The new species collected in the Madidi National Park and surrounding areas located on the eastern slopes of the Andes are from several different genera and families.
Missouri Botanical …. Read the original article : 8 new plant species discovered in Boliva national parks.
Genetic ‘battle of the sexes’ could be much harder to resolve: Study
WASHINGTON – A genetic ‘battle of the sexes’ could be much harder to resolve and a lot more important to evolution than previously thought, suggests a new study.
This battle, observed across many species and known as intralocus sexual conflict, happens when the genes for a trait which is good for the …. Source article : Genetic ‘battle of the sexes’ could be much harder to resolve: Study.
Promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancies identified
WASHINGTON – Scientists in the UK have discovered a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancy.
In the western world, deaths from ectopic pregnancy are not common but in the developing world one in ten women who are admitted with an ectopic … Read more : Promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancies identified.
Dangerous plastics chemical can pass through the skin
LONDON – The controversial plastics compound bisphenol A (BPA) is back into the limelight.
One study has revealed that the chemical is readily absorbed through the skin, while the second study has found that people who routinely touch BPA-laden till receipts have higher than average levels of the chemical in their bodies, reports Nature.
Animal studies … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dangerous plastics chemical can pass through the skin.
Women find men with yellow, red faces ‘more attractive’
WASHINGTON – Men, please pay attention: Women find a healthy glow more attractive than a strong, masculine face, says a new study.
Scientists say that in a recent experiment, women preferred men with yellower and redder skin tones, both of which can signal good health, a crucial factor in choosing a mate.
For instance, people of any … Read more : Women find men with yellow, red faces ‘more attractive’.
Benefits of testosterone treatment for frailty in older men are temporary
WASHINGTON – A new UK study found that the beneficial effects of testosterone treatment on muscle mass, strength and quality of life were not maintained at 6 months post-treatment in frail elderly men.
“Since the use of testosterone in elderly men raises concerns regarding adverse effects on the prostate and cardiovascular system, it’s important to determine …. Source : Benefits of testosterone treatment for frailty in older men are temporary.
Volcanic eruptions affect rainfall over Asian region
WASHINGTON – Large volcanic eruptions affect rainfall over the Asian monsoon region where seasonal storms water crops for nearly half the population of the earth.
The eruptions are also believed to affect the weather by spewing particles that block solar energy and cool the air.
Tree-ring researchers from the Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory showed …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Volcanic eruptions affect rainfall over Asian region.
Food-allergy fears lead to overly restrictive diets
WASHINGTON – National Jewish Health researchers have revealed that many children, especially those with eczema, are unnecessarily avoiding foods based on incomplete information about potential food-allergies.
The food avoidance poses a nutritional risk for these children, and is often based primarily on data from blood tests known as serum immunoassays.
Many factors, including patient and family history, … Original article on : Food-allergy fears lead to overly restrictive diets.
Gene linked to spread of eye melanoma identified
WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified a gene linked to the spread of eye melanoma.
Although more research is needed, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say the discovery is an important step in understanding why some tumors spread (metastasize) and others don’t. They believe the findings could lead to more effective treatments.
The … Read more >>>.
Common roadside plant could become new source of biofuel
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) studies have revealed that a common roadside plant could have the right stuff to become a new source of biofuel.
Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA’s principal intramural scientific research agency, have found that field pennycress yields impressive quantities of seeds whose oil could be used in … Read more »»».
How some people control HIV infection naturally
WASHINGTON – The rare ability of some individuals to control HIV infection without the need for medications may be explained by the tiny variants in a protein that alerts the immune system to the presence of infection.
An international research team led by investigators from the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT and …. Original source : How some people control HIV infection naturally.
Hard work boosts the taste of food: Study
WASHINGTON – It is a common phenomenon that we appreciate something more if we have to work hard to get it, and a new study seems to have proved it, at least in the case of food.
The Johns Hopkins University study suggest that hard work can even enhance our appreciation for fare we might not …. Source article : Hard work boosts the taste of food: Study.
Global pincer movement could wipe out malaria
LONDON – A scientist believes that malaria could be eradicated globally through a global pincer movement.
“It could take 50 or 60 years,” New Scientist quoted Richard Feachem of the University of California as saying.
At a press conference in London, Feachem, who is also the author of “Shrinking the malaria map”, said that malaria has been … Read more >>.
Housework makes fathers happy: Study
LONDON – This may come as good news to working mothers everywhere: Fathers are less stressed when sharing childcare and domestic chores, new research shows.
The study revealed that fathers are happier when they do more of the housework themselves, spend longer with their children and have working partners who are in the office just as … Read more >>.
Nuclear materials detector can pinpoint exact location of radiation sources
WASHINGTON – University of Michigan has created a table-top gamma-ray detector called Polaris, which can not only identify the presence of dangerous nuclear materials, but can pinpoint and show their exact location and type, unlike conventional detectors.
“Other gamma ray detectors can tell you perhaps that nuclear materials are near a building, but with our detector, …. Read the original article : here.
Genetic deletion identified as major risk factor for autism, schizophrenia
WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists led by Emory University has identified the deletion of a genomic region on chromosome 17 as a significant risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia.
A mutation of one of the genes in the deleted interval already is a known cause of renal cysts and diabetes syndrome …. Source article : Genetic deletion identified as major risk factor for autism, schizophrenia.
How chefs can help combat obesity by creating reduced-calorie meals
WASHINGTON – According to Penn State researchers, restaurants can help tackle the obesity epidemic by creating reduced-calorie meals.
In the survey, 72 percent of the 432 respondents said they could trim off 10 percent of the calories in meals without customers noticing differences in taste, and 21 percent said they could trim off at least 25 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : How chefs can help combat obesity by creating reduced-calorie meals.
Soon, a ‘nano drug’ jab that hits brain tumour’s bullseye
WASHINGTON – The scientists have developed a unique technology, which can inject anti-tumor drugs directly into brain tumor cells, unlike other drugs of its kind.
The research team at Cedars-Sinai’s Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute has created a ‘nanobioconjugate’ drug that may be given by intravenous injection and carried in the blood to target the brain tumor.
It … Read more »».
Knowing genetic makeup can make you more receptive to lifestyle changes
LONDON – A small dose of your genetic information is likely to make you more sensitive towards weight loss and exercise, reveals a new study.
David Kaufman of the Genetics and Public Policy Centre quizzed 1048 customers who had ordered genome scans.
As many as 34 per cent of respondents said they were being more careful about … Original article on : Knowing genetic makeup can make you more receptive to lifestyle changes.
Bedtime stories ‘improve children’s vocabulary, spelling abilities’
MELBOURNE – Reading bedtime stories such as Narnia or Lord of the Rings to your children at a young age can significantly improve their vocabulary as well as their spelling abilities, according to a new study.
Jean Gross – the government’s adviser on youth speech, language and communication problems – said that children can be taught … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bedtime stories ‘improve children’s vocabulary, spelling abilities’.
Beer ‘may have led to the rise of civilization’
WASHINGTON – Some archaeologists have said that there is a possibility that beer may have helped lead to the rise of civilization.
Their argument is that Stone Age farmers were domesticating cereals not so much to fill their stomachs but to lighten their heads, by turning the grains into beer.
Signs that people went to great … Read more »».
Human evolution occurred ‘3mn yrs earlier than previously thought’
WASHINGTON – A new statistical model has suggested that evolutionary divergence of humans from chimpanzees likely occurred some 8 million years ago rather than the 5 million year estimate widely accepted by scientists.
The revised estimate of when the human species parted ways from its closest primate relatives should enable scientists to better interpret the history … Read more >>>.
Study finds hemodynamic responses for infant’s facial expressions
WASHINGTON – Japanese research group have found hemispheric differences in the temporal area overlying superior temporal sulcus (STS) when processing positive (happy) and negative (angry) facial expressions in infants.
The research group was led by Prof. Ryusuke Kakigi and Dr. Emi Nakato (National Institute for Physiological Sciences: NIPS) and Prof. Masami K Yamaguchi (Chuo … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Study finds hemodynamic responses for infant’s facial expressions.
Earth may have had water ‘from the day it was born’
LONDON – A new study claims that Earth may have had water on its surface right since the day the planet came into being.
The study suggests that Earth’s life-sustaining liquid came from the dust from which the planet was born and not simply from collisions with objects that later crashed into the planet from space.
Simulations … Original source on Gaea Times at : Earth may have had water ‘from the day it was born’.
Launch of space shuttle Discovery postponed
WASHINGTON – NASA has postponed the launch of space shuttle Discovery to no earlier than 4:05 a.m. EST on Nov. 30.
The reason behind the delay is a hydrogen gas leak detected while filling the external tank Friday morning. Engineers and technicians will also assess a foam crack on the external fuel tank’s liquid oxygen intertank … Original article on : Launch of space shuttle Discovery postponed.
Why watching a sunrise takes our breath away
LONDON – Ever wondered why watching a sunrise or a sunset is so breathtaking? Scientists have revealed in a new study how humans perceive colours, an ability that lets us see all the glorious hues of a sunrise.
Scientists have mapped the neural system involved in how cells in our eyes communicate and pass on signals …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Why watching a sunrise takes our breath away.
‘Google killer’ search engine to ‘clean up web searches’
LONDON – A new Internet search engine called Blekko, which relies on recommendations from other users, has been launched and hailed as a ‘Google killer’.
It filters out poor quality and irrelevant websites, which its founders claim have overrun the web and dominate search engine results, reports the Daily Mail.
It works by using humans to pre-select …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Massive deep-sea coral die-off discovered near Gulf of Mexico
WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a massive deep-sea coral die-off this week about 7 miles (11 kilometers) southwest of the source of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Large communities of several types of bottom-dwelling coral were found covered with a dark substance at depths of about 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) near the damaged Deepwater Horizon …. Read the original article : Massive deep-sea coral die-off discovered near Gulf of Mexico.
Smoggy morning in Delhi
NEW DELHI – Delhi’s skyline was enveloped by a layer of smog Saturday, a day after Diwali as smoke from the firecrackers burnt overnight mixed with the early morning mist.
The smog will cover the city sky the whole day and it will clear up only by tomorrow (Sunday), said an official of the India … Read more : Smoggy morning in Delhi.
Annual $100 bn funding for climate change possible: UN
NEW YORK – A UN advisory group headed by leaders of Norway and Ethiopia said Friday that it would be possible to raise as much as $100 billion a year to fight climate change by 2020.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and his counterpart from Ethiopia Meles Zenawi said in a study that the goal …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Annual $100 bn funding for climate change possible: UN.
NASA scraps Discovery launch until end of month
WASHINGTON – Technical problems have forced NASA to delay the launch of the space shuttle Discovery until at least the end of this month, officials said.
Discovery’s launch has been delayed several times, initially due to technical problems and later complicated by poor weather. But more technical problems resurfaced ahead of a scheduled take-off Friday … Read this article on Gaea Times at : NASA scraps Discovery launch until end of month.
Now play ‘Star Wars’ on iPhone
LONDON – It is the dream application for anyone harbouring fantasies of being Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars”.
A new game for iPhone lets users take the controls of the Millennium Falcon and battle enemy spaceships using the phone’s built-in camera to create the backdrop.
The game recreates the famous scene from the first “Star … Read : Now play ‘Star Wars’ on iPhone.
The mind uses syntax to interpret actions
WASHINGTON – Most people are familiar with the concept that sentences have syntax or structure. A verb, a subject, and an object come together in predictable patterns. But apparently actions have syntax too!
When we watch someone else do something, we assemble their actions to mean something, say researchers.
“There are oceans and oceans [..] Read the original article: here.
Ice-baths can do more harm than good, say scientists
LONDON – A new study has suggested that ice-baths can actually do more harm than good.
The agonisingly cold dips are a popular way for athletes to finish their training as they help the body to return to normal after a workout.
The theory is that the …. Source article : Ice-baths can do more harm than good, say scientists.
Space Shuttle Launch Further Delayed
CAPE CANAVERAL (GaeaTimes.com)- The final launch of the space shuttle Discovery, who is gearing up to provide essentials to the International Space Station suffered another major setback on Thursday after unfavorable weather conditions further delayed its launch. This is the fourth time within a week that the much-awaited launch of Discovery had to be … Original source on Gaea Times at : Space Shuttle Launch Further Delayed.
NASA EPOXI flyby offers new insights into comet features
WASHINGTON – Scientists say that initial images from NASA’s EPOXI mission spacecraft that successfully flew past Comet Hartley 2 at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday, provide new information about the comet’s volume and material spewing from its surface.
“Early observations of the comet show that, for the first time, we may be able to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NASA EPOXI flyby offers new insights into comet features.
‘Miracle’ eye implant ‘to lighten blind people’s lives’
LONDON – Thousands of blind people may now get their sight back-thanks to a ‘miracle’ eye implant developed by British surgeons.
The 15-minute procedure involves implanting a tiny device so small that it can barely be seen in the eye.
The surgery, being carried out at Manchester Royal Infirmary, has been designed to prevent glaucoma, which is … Original article on : ‘Miracle’ eye implant ‘to lighten blind people’s lives’.
Oysters could disappear in next 100 years due to ‘acidic oceans’
LONDON – Oysters and mussels could disappear over the next century because the oceans are becoming increasingly acidic.
Dr John Baxter, the co-editor of an international report into the acidification of the world’s seas, said increasing levels of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere by industrialised countries was gradually changing the acid level of waters …. Source article : Oysters could disappear in next 100 years due to ‘acidic oceans’.
How laughter can make some snooze 100 times a day!
LONDON – Laughter may be the best medicine, but for some, it’s nothing less than a disorder – a sleep disorder called narcolepsy can send a person into an instant slumber without warning if you laugh.
People with this order suffer temporary muscle weakness when they experience emotions such as surprise, fear and the exhilaration that …. Original article on Gaea Times at : How laughter can make some snooze 100 times a day!.
Festive mood in Rajasthan village that spoke to Obama
AJMER – A Rajasthan village Sunday was in a festive spirit, with villagers dancing to drum beats, as they got to talk to US President Barack Obama in Mumbai – thanks to a video-conference link.
The upbeat villagers of Kanpura, 30 km from this town known for the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin … Read more : Festive mood in Rajasthan village that spoke to Obama.
Largest clinical trial confirms new drug for worldwide malaria treatment
LONDON – The largest clinical trial ever conducted has concluded that the drug artesunate should now be the preferred treatment for the disease in both children and adults everywhere in the world.
Professor Nick White of the Wellcome Trust-Mahidol University-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme in Bangkok, Thailand, and his colleagues conducted the trial called African Quinine … Read more »».
Cheryl Cole and David Beckham have the ‘most perfect faces’
LONDON – David Beckham and Cheryl Cole have been voted as having the ‘most perfect faces’ in a poll.
Researchers asked 100 volunteers to produce an image of an attractive male or female face using police e-fit techniques, and then combined them into one male face and a female face.
Cole’s facial proportions were found to be … Read : Cheryl Cole and David Beckham have the ‘most perfect faces’.
In they fly, in thousands, keeping winter date with Kashmir (Letter from Kashmir)
SRINAGAR – As mallards, pintails, pochards and thousands of other migratory birds fly in, filling up the sky and the picturesque locales of the valley with their winter cackle, many Kashmiris are hoping they will be harbingers of peace.
“We have around 300,000 migratory birds in the Hokarsar bird reserve at present and more are …. Source article on Gaea Times at : In they fly, in thousands, keeping winter date with Kashmir (Letter from Kashmir).
Five evacuation teams deployed in Andhra
NEW DELHI – As cyclone ‘Jal’ neared Andhra Pradesh’s coastline, five evacuation teams were deployed in the state as a safety measure, a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) official said Saturday.
Five teams of 45-50 rescue operators each reached the low-lying districts of Andhra Pradesh Saturday morning. They have started the evacuation process there, …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Frequent fliers prone to ‘radiation poisoning from space solar flare’
LONDON – If you’re a frequent airline traveler, you are probably at a greater risk of developing cancer due to high radiation levels from the Sun.
Experts have warned that long-term radiation poisoning from ’solar space storms’ or flare activity from the Sun can …. Original source : Frequent fliers prone to ‘radiation poisoning from space solar flare’.
Google better at advising teachers than Scotland’s curriculum body
LONDON – Leading education academics have concluded that the Internet search engine Google offers better advice to teachers than Scotland’s curriculum body.
The verdict comes as the Scottish Government admitted it was “abolishing” Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) rather than simply merging it with the school inspectorate HMIe.
Sue Ellis, a reader in literacy and language at …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Google better at advising teachers than Scotland’s curriculum body.
Pregnancy-related morning sickness could be hereditary
WASHINGTON – Women whose sisters experienced extreme morning sickness, are 17 times more likely to develop the condition, suggests a new study.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is an extreme form of nausea and vomiting that endangers their lives and often forces them to reluctantly terminate their pregnancies.
Researchers from UCLA and the University of Southern California traced both … Read : Pregnancy-related morning sickness could be hereditary.
How fear takes centre-stage in climate change debates
WASHINGTON – We have apparently been forced to fear climate change and it isn’t that bad as it seems to be, says researcher.
Historian Matthias Dorries has revealed the role of fear in our understanding of climate change.
He examined the cultural significance of fear and how it became a central presence in current debates over climate [..] Read the original article: here.
Protein study sheds light on insulin response and cancer cell growth
WASHINGTON – The United States and Japanese researchers have identified a key step in metabolic pathways linked to diabetes and cancer.
TORC 2 activates a protein called Akt, which plays a crucial role in how cells respond to insulin, said Kazuo Shiozaki, of the University of California.
Normally, insulin triggers fat and muscle cells to take up … Read : Protein study sheds light on insulin response and cancer cell growth.
NASA spacecraft takes look at comet from closest
LONDON – NASA’s Deep Impact craft flew within 435 miles (700 km) of comet Hartley 2 — the closest ever any man-made object got to such a celestial body.
The images at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California reveal a peanut-shaped comet. It is the fifth time that a comet’s core has been viewed …. Source article : NASA spacecraft takes look at comet from closest.
Obesity rates in US to reach 42 percent: Experts
WASHINGTON – Harvard University researchers have estimated that America’s obesity epidemic won’t plateau until at least 42 percent of adults are obese.
The estimate has been derived by applying mathematical modeling to 40 years of Framingham Heart Study data.
The work runs counter to recent assertions by some experts that …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Obesity rates in US to reach 42 percent: Experts.
‘They all look alike’ effect is down to the brain
LONDON – A team of psychologists at the University of Glasgow, UK, has finally found why people so often have trouble telling those of a different race apart.hey have identified the brain mechanism that is responsible for this ‘other-race effect’, and hope their findings …. Original source : ‘They all look alike’ effect is down to the brain.
Discovery shows promise against severe side effect of chemo drug
WASHINGTON – A way to eliminate a debilitating side effect associated with one of the main chemotherapy drugs used for treating colon cancer has been found by a team of scientists.
The strategy used in their preclinical research-inhibiting an enzyme in bacteria of the digestive tract-could allow patients to …. Source : Gaea News Network.
First step to developing a test for MND
WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a common signature of nerve damage in the brains of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) patients.
The study was funded by the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC).
These are [..] Read the original article: here.
Secret of bacteria’s immune system unlocked
LONDON – Scientists have just unlocked the secret of bacteria’s immune system.
The team led by Professor Sylvain Moineau of Universiti Laval’s Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Bioinformatics showed that this mechanism, called CRISPR/Cas, works by selecting foreign DNA segments and inserting them into [..] Read the original article: here.
Keyhole bowel cancer surgery is safe and effective: Study
LONDON – A new research by University of Leeds has suggested that laparoscopic or ‘keyhole’ surgery is a safe, effective way of removing bowel tumours and should be offered to all patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.
The study involved around 400 patients with colon … Original source on Gaea Times at : Keyhole bowel cancer surgery is safe and effective: Study.