Science News – Weekly Newsletter for November 8-15, 2010
Monday, November 15, 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’.
CT scans can identify cause of some strokes: Study
WASHINGTON – Multidetector computed tomography (CT) helps pinpoint the causes of ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, according to a new study.
An ischemic stroke occurs when blockage in an artery, often from a blood clot or a fatty deposit due to atherosclerosis, interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain.
Loic Boussel and [..] Read the original article: here.
Brain bleeding ‘common among older individuals’
WASHINGTON – Brain bleeding is a common occurrence among older individuals, according to a UC Irvine study.
“In this study, deep regions of the brain were closely examined under a microscope, and nearly all subjects had evidence of small areas of bleeding,” said Neurologist Dr. Mark Fisher.
Fisher, Kim and colleagues at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center studied postmortem … Original source on Gaea Times at : Brain bleeding ‘common among older individuals’.
How some fish can stay on land up to 2 months!
WASHINGTON – Some species of fish can stay alive for up to two months on land – it’s because of their skin, a new study has suggested.
Mangrove killifish are small fish-only about an inch or two long-that live in temporary pools in the coastal mangrove forests of Central and South America and Florida.
During dry seasons … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How some fish can stay on land up to 2 months!.
Star system that resembles a game of snooker
LONDON – Astronomers have discovered an unusual star system which looks like a game of snooker.
Experts from the Warwick and Sheffield universities in Britain were part of an international consortium which played a key role in discovering the ’snooker-like’ star system.
They looked at a binary star system called NN Serpentis which is 1,670 …. Source article : Star system that resembles a game of snooker.
Engineered plants ‘could be turned into green plastics someday’
WASHINGTON – Scientists have engineered a plant that produces industrially relevant levels of compounds that could potentially be used to make plastics.
“The raw materials for most precursors currently come from petroleum or coal-derived synthetic gas. Our new way of providing a feedstock …. Original source : Engineered plants ‘could be turned into green plastics someday’.
Playing with your kids ‘improves their mental health’
WASHINGTON – A new study suggests that positive interactions between parents and kids can discourage personality disorders later in life.
The research said that spending time with a child by reading with them, helping with homework or teaching them organizational skills helps to foster better psychological … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Playing with your kids ‘improves their mental health’.
TB-drugome may pave way for anti-TB drug discovery
WASHINGTON – A new research has discovered that one-third of the drugs examined have the potential to be repurposed to treat tuberculosis and many currently unexploited M. tuberculosis proteins could serve as novel anti-tubercular targets.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the University of Leeds have linked hundreds of federally …. Source article : TB-drugome may pave way for anti-TB drug discovery.
Vitamins E and C ‘have little effect on age-related cataract’
WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that regular use of Vitamin E and C has little or no effect on age-related cataract in men.
William G. Christen from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues studied 11,545 apparently healthy male physicians 50 years and older.
There were 579 cataracts in the vitamin … Original source on Gaea Times at : Vitamins E and C ‘have little effect on age-related cataract’.
Fish oil given within 5 hrs after stroke limits brain damage
WASHINGTON – A new study has pointed out that fish oil contains a substance that may help to limit or prevent brain damage following a stroke, if given within 5 hours after the stroke.
Dr Nicolas Bazan at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center said docosahexaenoic acid-a component of fish oil-is a powerful therapeutic agent …. Read the original article : Fish oil given within 5 hrs after stroke limits brain damage.
A hot steak dinner could cool your man
LONDON – Want to calm down your hubby after a stressful day? If yes, then you should cook him a steak, say experts.
Contrary to popular belief that red meat makes men aggressive, scientists have found that it actually has a calming affect.
Psychologist Frank Kachanoff said the belief that a hunk of red meat would prompt …. Source article on Gaea Times at : A hot steak dinner could cool your man.
Differences in human and Neanderthal brains set in first year of life
WASHINGTON – The difference between brains of newborn humans and Neanderthals takes shape specifically in the first year of life, a new study has suggested.
The brains of newborn humans and those of our extinct relatives are about the same size and appears rather similar overall.
The findings are based on comparisons of virtual imprints of the …. Read the original article : here.
Discovery could reveal ‘what Earth and Mars were like 100m yrs ago’
WASHINGTON – It could now be possible to know what the atmospheres of the Earth and Mars were like hundreds of millions years ago, thanks to a new chemical reaction uncovered by scientists.
Chemists at UC San Diego have uncovered a new chemical reaction on tiny particulates in the atmosphere that could allow scientists to gain … Original source on Gaea Times at : Discovery could reveal ‘what Earth and Mars were like 100m yrs ago’.
Lack of vitamin D leads to ‘chubbier kids, faster weight gain’
WASHINGTON – A study by the University of Michigan has revealed that kids who are deficient in vitamin D accumulated fat around the waist and gained weight more rapidly than kids who got enough vitamin D.
Accumulation of abdominal fat, or central fat, may lead to a so-called apple body shape, which is commonly linked to …. Source : Lack of vitamin D leads to ‘chubbier kids, faster weight gain’.
New browser combines web search with Facebook
LONDON – A new internet browser that requires a Facebook log-in has been unveiled, aimed squarely at social networking users.
Called RockMelt, it has been set up by Marc Andreessen, the founder of Netscape.
Based on Google’s Chromium software, Rockmelt is designed to let users share everything they do with the friends on Facebook … Read more >>>.
China unveils snapshots of moon
BEIJING – China has unveiled photos of the moon’s surface taken by its second lunar probe Chang’e-2, marking the success of the mission.
The photos, made public by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao Monday, highlighted part of the moon’s Sinus Iridium, or Bay of Rainbows, the area proposed for China’s first unmanned soft-landing around 2013, China …. Read the original article : China unveils snapshots of moon.
People change names on Facebook ‘to escape evidence of wild youth’
MELBOURNE – A survey has revealed that several young people are on a name-changing spree on Facebook in order to escape their digital footprint.
Google chief executive was right when he predicted that kids of the future would change their names to escape online evidence of a wild youth.
A new survey of more than 1000 Australians …. Read the original article : People change names on Facebook ‘to escape evidence of wild youth’.
Cannabis-like compounds ‘could turn newborn females more masculine’
LONDON – Researchers at University of Maryland in Baltimore have found that when newborn female rats are given a substance mimicking cannabis, their brains become more masculine – as does their behaviour.
Margaret McCarthy and colleagues also found that females had a smaller endocannabinoid system, involving brain receptors that react to cannabis, reports New Scientist.
They also …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Scientists discover ‘altruism gene’ that makes you more charitable
WASHINGTON – Researchers at University of Bonn claim that they have found an ‘altruism gene’ that makes people more charitable.
People with this change gave twice as much money on average to a charitable cause as did other study subjects.
Professor Dr. Martin Reuter and his colleagues asked participants were to memorize series of numbers and then …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover ‘altruism gene’ that makes you more charitable.
Mild painkillers in pregnancy ’cause poor quality semen, cancer in sons’
WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that use of mild painkillers during pregnancy may be a reason for the increase in male reproductive disorders in recent decades.
The new research has shown that women who took a combination of more than one mild analgesic during pregnancy, or who took the painkillers during the second trimester … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mild painkillers in pregnancy ’cause poor quality semen, cancer in sons’.
Soy-based drug ‘may stop prostate cancer spread’
WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that a new, non-toxic drug made from a chemical in soy could prevent the movement of cancer cells from the prostate to the rest of the body.
Northwestern Medicine researchers used genistein-a natural chemical found in soy-to inhibit prostate cancer cells from becoming metastatic and spreading to other parts of the …. Read the original article : here.
Mountains may offer species ‘refuge habitats’ during climate change
WASHINGTON – Swiss researchers have claimed that mountain ranges may represent a ’safer’ place to live during changing climate conditions.
Daniel Scherrer and Christian Korner from the University of Basel, Switzerland used a high-resolution infrared camera and hundreds … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mountains may offer species ‘refuge habitats’ during climate change.
Bilingualism can delay onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms: Study
WASHINGTON – Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute has found that speaking two languages can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms by as much as five years.
“We are not claiming that bilingualism in any way prevents Alzheimer’s or other dementias, but it … Read : Bilingualism can delay onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms: Study.
‘Talking numbers’ can improve a child’s math skills
WASHINGTON – Research has revealed that young children’s math skills improve when parents talk frequently about numbers.
University of Chicago said that, for instance, children whose parents talked more about numbers were much more likely to understand the cardinal number principle-which … Original article on : ‘Talking numbers’ can improve a child’s math skills.
New DNA model identifies first European farmers
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that has resolved the age-old issue of the origins of the people who introduced farming to Europe some 8000 years ago.
A team of international researchers led by ancient DNA experts from the University of Adelaide has resolved the longstanding issue of the origins of the people who introduced … Original source on Gaea Times at : New DNA model identifies first European farmers.
Now, Twitter chatbot that counters anti-global warming tweets
WASHINGTON – An Australian software developer has taken on to micro-blogging site Twitter to stop people from spreading incorrect information about global warming.
Nigel Leck has created the Twitter account @AI_AGW, also known as Turing Test, that automatically reply to tweets that contain set phrases associated with global warming skepticism, reports the Discovery News.
Leck said his … Read more : Now, Twitter chatbot that counters anti-global warming tweets.
Undetected high blood pressure ‘ups deaths from heart attacks’
WASHINGTON – A study has established an association between detection of hypertension and death rates from coronary heart disease.
The University of Leicester study has also revealed that the country you live in could affect your risk of dying from a heart attack.
The Leicester team, analysed whether variations in deaths between different parts of the country … Original source on Gaea Times at : Undetected high blood pressure ‘ups deaths from heart attacks’.
New method of sniffing out ‘dirty bombs’ revealed
WASHINGTON – University of Maryland researchers have put forward a new scheme for detecting a concealed source of radioactive material without searching containers one by one.
Detection of radioactive material concealed in shipping containers is important in the early prevention of “dirty” bomb construction.
The concept is based on the gamma-ray emission from the radioactive material that …. Original source : New method of sniffing out ‘dirty bombs’ revealed.
Young, unsupervised kids ‘at highest risk for dog bites’
WASHINGTON – Scientist has revealed that young, unsupervised children are most at risk for dog bites, usually from family pets and that if they bite once, they will bite again with the second attack often more brutal than the first.
The study conducted by Vikram Durairaj of the University of Colorado School of Medicine revealed that …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Does ‘presenteeism’ cost more to employers than absenteeism?
WASHINGTON – Presenteeism, a word that applies to people who are less productive at work because of health issues, costs employers as much as three times the dollar amount as absenteeism in terms of lost productivity, some scholars have estimated.
But researchers at University of Michigan believe those numbers may be inaccurate. A new opinion paper … Original article on : Does ‘presenteeism’ cost more to employers than absenteeism?.
Anxiety, stress major factors of depression in women undergoing IVF
WASHINGTON – A new research from Tel Aviv University has shown that stress, pre-existing depression, and anxiety are more likely than hormone therapy to impact a woman’s depression levels when undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
According to Dr. Miki Bloch of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Anxiety, stress major factors of depression in women undergoing IVF.
Growth defects in patients with cystic fibrosis ‘may start before birth’
WASHINGTON – A new study by University of Iowa researchers, using a pig model of cystic fibrosis (CF), has suggested that low levels of a growth promoting hormone at or before birth may contribute to growth defects in patients with cystic fibrosis.
The study could help predict the severity of the disease in patients and may …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Smallest building blocks of the Sun’s magnetic field revealed
WASHINGTON – Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany have now for the first time uncovered and characterized the smallest building blocks of the Sun’s magnetic field.
In these tiny regions of only a few hundred kilometers in diameter the strength of the magnetic field exceeds the Earth’s magnetic field …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Smallest building blocks of the Sun’s magnetic field revealed.
‘Jazzy, colourful’ males are the most attractive mates: Study
WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that the flashier a male, the more attractive a mate he is.
“Females typically use carotenoid colours to assess the quality of a potential mate, with more colourful males generally being regarded as the most attractive,” said Dr Tom Pike of the University of Exeter.
Pike conducted the study using a …. Original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Jazzy, colourful’ males are the most attractive mates: Study.
Clot-busting drug ‘works best for strokes caused by blood clots’
WASHINGTON – A study has claimed that the clot-busting drug rt-PA remains the most beneficial proven emergency treatment for strokes caused by blood clots.
“The benefits of treatment outweigh the risks in patients treated with intravenous rt-PA within 4.5 hours of symptom onset,” said Dr. Jose Biller at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
Most strokes …. Source : Clot-busting drug ‘works best for strokes caused by blood clots’.
Obese teens ‘at higher risk of becoming obese adults’
WASHINGTON – A study suggests that being obese in adolescence increases the risk of being severely obese in adulthood, especially in women.
“In 2000, an estimated 2.2 percent of adults, or 4.8 million individuals, were severely obese, with a disproportionately higher prevalence in women and racial/ethnic minorities,” wrote the authors of University of North Carolina at …. Source : Obese teens ‘at higher risk of becoming obese adults’.
Mom’s smoking during pregnancy ups SIDS risk
WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that maternal smoking during pregnancy is a major risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), with nicotine likely as the active agent.
Researchers Hemant Sawnani, Erik Olsen, and Narong Simakajornboon, from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio, summarized the evidence from both human and animal studies, showing nicotine … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mom’s smoking during pregnancy ups SIDS risk.
Exercise may cut endometrial cancer risk: Study
WASHINGTON – A new study has claimed that women who exercised for at least 150 minutes a week are less likely to develop endometrial cancer, regardless of whether they are overweight or not.
Hannah Arem, a doctoral student at Yale School of Public Health, and colleagues examined the data collected from a case-control study led by … Read more : Exercise may cut endometrial cancer risk: Study.
Alpha males take greater risks in relationships: Study
WASHINGTON – Alpha males take greater risks in relationships, reveals a new study from Concordia University.
The study found the length between the second and fourth finger is an indicator of high levels of prenatal testosterone, risk-taking and potential financial success in men.
“Our findings show an association between high testosterone and risk-taking among males in three …. Original article : Alpha males take greater risks in relationships: Study.
Soon, houses built out of manmade ‘green’ coral!
WASHINGTON – Scientists from several European universities are collaborating to develop a coral that could become an effective, carbon-negative way to “grow” walls.
Researchers from the University of Greenwich, the University of Southern Denmark, the University of Glasgow and the University College London are working with protocells, which are engineered bubbles of fatty oil suspended in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Soon, houses built out of manmade ‘green’ coral!.
Antimicrobial products ‘toxic for environment, dangerous to human health’
WASHINGTON – Antimicrobial products like soaps and handwash may promise to kill germs, but a new study has revealed that they may be causing more harm than good – both for humans and the environment.
A study has indicated that a pair of antimicrobial compounds known as triclosan and triclocarban, which are found in an array …. Read the original article : Antimicrobial products ‘toxic for environment, dangerous to human health’.
Tiny cricket possesses world’s ‘biggest’ testicles
LONDON – It may only be half the size of a human finger, but the tuberous bushcricket has the biggest testicles in the world relative to its body weight!
Scientists have discovered that the male of the specie has testes which are 14 percent of its whole body mass. It would be the human …. Original article : Tiny cricket possesses world’s ‘biggest’ testicles.
Study finds marketing strategies of beer ‘affect alcohol intake in students’
WASHINGTON – In a new study, psychologists from the University of Missouri have found that marketing strategies can affect individual behaviours in very significant ways.
Two MU psychologists have found that students who viewed images of beer cans packaged and displayed in university colours …. Source : Study finds marketing strategies of beer ‘affect alcohol intake in students’.
Smoking ban leads to major decrease in maternal smoking, pre-term births
WASHINGTON – A new study revealed that strong smoke-free policies can improve foetal outcomes by significantly reducing the prevalence of maternal smoking.
Researchers from the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy collected data from mothers residing in Pueblo, Colo., before and after a citywide smoking ban took effect.
Results … Read : Smoking ban leads to major decrease in maternal smoking, pre-term births.
Scientists discover ‘gateway of fear’ in brain
LONDON – a research team led by scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has taken an important step toward understanding how the brain reacts to fear.
David J. Anderson, the Benzer Professor of Biology at Caltech and a Howard Hughes Medical … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover ‘gateway of fear’ in brain.
Tiny paper plane soars at 90,000 feet in space
LONDON – Who needs a multi-billion-dollar spacecraft to study the earth when you can use a paper plane?
The plane, with a wing span of three feet and made of paper straws, was launched using just a large helium balloon.
The craft soared to 90,000 feet before the balloon exploded, after which the plane glided …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Developing nations facing ‘obesity epidemic’
WASHINGTON – A global policy group has called on the governments of developing nations to take comprehensive action to tackle the rising incidence of obesity.
According to a new report released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), obesity levels have reached endemic proportions in such countries, reports Discovery News.
The OECD assessed obesity …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Developing nations facing ‘obesity epidemic’.
New electronic sensor ‘better than sniffer dogs’ at detecting bombs
WASHINGTON – Tel Aviv University scientists have developed a new electric sensor that is small, portable, and is more sensitive and reliable at detecting explosives than any sniffer dog.
Prof. Fernando Patolsky said the sensor is especially effective at detecting TNT.
However, drawbacks include high cost, lengthy decoding times, size, and a need for expert analyses.
“There is … Read more >>>.
Global dimming threatening Beijing, Delhi the most, warn scientists
LONDON – Scientists and environmental experts scheduled to attend a UN-sponsored Environment Program in Cancun, Mexico, this month, have warned that “global dimming” is emerging as the latest threat to planet Earth, and added that cities like Beijing and New Delhi lie just beneath atmospheric brown cloud, thought to be caused mainly by the use … Original article on : Global dimming threatening Beijing, Delhi the most, warn scientists.
190-mn-yr old ‘world’s oldest’ dino embryos discovered in South Africa
WASHINGTON – Palaeontologists have discovered the world’s oldest known dinosaur embryos that date to the early Jurassic Period 190 million years ago, in South Africa.
They belong to Massospondylus, a member of a group of dinosaurs called prosauropods that were ancestors to the giant, plant-eating sauropods. Sauropods are the iconic four-legged dinosaurs known for their long …. Source : 190-mn-yr old ‘world’s oldest’ dino embryos discovered in South Africa.
Deaf adults ’see better’ than hearing people
WASHINGTON – A new research at the University of Sheffield has revealed that deaf adults can react more quickly to visual cues than those who can hear well.
Dr Charlotte Codina, from the University’s Academic Unit of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics found that children born deaf are slower to react to objects in their peripheral vision compared …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Deaf adults ’see better’ than hearing people.
Dietary intervention in infancy can cut diabetes risk among kids
WASHINGTON – Dietary intervention in infancy can prevent the initiation of the disease process leading to Type 1 diabetes among high-risk children, a Finnish study has shown.
The study population comprised 230 newborn infants with at least one family member affected by type 1 diabetes and a predisposing genotype based on screening cord blood at birth. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Dietary intervention in infancy can cut diabetes risk among kids.
Mid-aged women with high cholesterol not at risk for Alzheimer
WASHINGTON – A new Johns Hopkins-led research has found that high cholesterol levels in middle age do not appear to increase women’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia later in life.
It found that women whose cholesterol levels decline from middle age to old age are at 2.5 times greater risk of … Original article on : Mid-aged women with high cholesterol not at risk for Alzheimer.
Bed rests for pregnant mums may be harmful: Study
WASHINGTON – A recent study by a nurse has found that prescribed bed rest has a down side for pregnant women.
Judith Maloni, professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, said a comprehensive review of more than 70 evidence-based research articles challenges whether bed rest is healthy for …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Bed rests for pregnant mums may be harmful: Study.
Sociability ‘may lie in our genes’
WASHINGTON – How well a person performs in a group may be hereditary, according to a new study by University of Edinburgh researchers.
They found that strong genetic influences have a major influence on how loyal a person feels to their social group.
Scientists asked sets of twins a series of questions about how important it was … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sociability ‘may lie in our genes’.
Extramarital sexual affairs were common in Amazonian cultures
WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that in some Amazonian cultures, extramarital sexual affairs were common, and people believed that when a woman became pregnant, each of her sexual partners would be considered part-biological father.
The study by University of Missouri found that up to 70 percent of Amazonian cultures might have believed in …. Source : Extramarital sexual affairs were common in Amazonian cultures.
Trojan Horse trick to deliver drugs into brains of stroke patients
WASHINGTON – Development of a long-sought method with the potential for getting medication through a biological barrier that surrounds the brain, where it may limit the brain damage caused by stroke, has been reported by scientists.
Their approach for sneaking the nerve-protective drug erythropoietin into the brain is medicine’s version of the Trojan Horse ploy straight … Read : Trojan Horse trick to deliver drugs into brains of stroke patients.
Pregnant mums using paracetamol ‘may up risk of childhood asthma’
WASHINGTON – Team of UK scientists has found an evidence suggesting that the risk of childhood asthma associated with prenatal paracetamol exposure may depend on antioxidant genes in the mother.
Led by Seif Shaheen, Professor of Respiratory Epidemiology at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, the team examined data from the British Avon … Read more : Pregnant mums using paracetamol ‘may up risk of childhood asthma’.
Coming soon: Device that wakes up drivers snoozing at the wheel
LONDON – In an aim to help keep drowsy drivers alert on the road, a team of German scientists have invented a built-in sensor that will sound an alarm the moment it detect their eyelids have closed.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology have developed an eye-tracking device that could save 300,000 lives …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Pleasurable activities like food, sex cut stress: study
WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have said that pleasurable activity, whether food or sex, reduces stress by inhibiting anxiety responses in the brain.
Experiments designed by Yvonne Ulrich-Lai, research assistant professor, James Herman, director of the Laboratory of Stress Neurobiology at UC, and colleagues also indicated that the reduced-stress effects continued for at … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pleasurable activities like food, sex cut stress: study.
Genes may influence cancer growth: Study
WASHINGTON – A study has indicated that the genes we possess not only determine the color of our eyes and hair and how our bodies grow, but they might also influence the changes that occur in tumors when we develop cancer.
A study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer …. Read the original article : Genes may influence cancer growth: Study.
We are born with faculty to laugh but learn to cry during life
LONDON – Laughing at a good joke or when someone tickles us is instinctive, but crying when we’re sad is something we learn from other people, say scientists.
They say that only expressions of laughter and relief are instinctive, whereas other emotional outbursts need to be learned.
To find out which sounds are instinctive, a team led …. Read the original article : We are born with faculty to laugh but learn to cry during life.
Detailed maps of dark matter offer clues to galaxy cluster growth
WASHINGTON – Astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have created one of the sharpest and most detailed maps of dark matter in the universe by taking advantage of a giant cosmic magnifying glass.
Dark matter is an invisible and unknown substance that makes up the bulk of the universe’s mass.
The new dark matter observations may yield …. Read the original article : Detailed maps of dark matter offer clues to galaxy cluster growth.
New mechanism regulating body’s 24-hour clock identified
WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified for the first time a novel mechanism that regulates circadian rhythm, the master clock that controls the body’s natural 24-hour physiological cycle.
These new findings by researchers from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute could provide a new target not only for jet lag, shift work, and sleep … Read more : New mechanism regulating body’s 24-hour clock identified.
New study explains formation of mysterious moon ‘bulge’
WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that the bulge of elevated topography on the far side of the moon could be the result of tidal forces acting early in the moon’s history when its solid outer crust floated on an ocean of liquid rock.
Ian Garrick-Bethell, of the University of California, found that the shape … Read : New study explains formation of mysterious moon ‘bulge’.
Can we really see the future?
LONDON – Events that haven’t taken place yet can influence our behaviour, reveals a new study.
Parapsychologists have made outlandish claims about precognition – knowledge of unpredictable future events – for years.
The study, set to appear in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, describes a series of experiments involving more than 1000 student volunteers, reports New … Original article on : Can we really see the future?.
UK youngsters think kissing or a kick in the genitals can cause cancer
SYDNEY – Many youngsters in the UK think that kissing, toilet seats or a kick in the genitals can lead to cancer, according to a study.
The poll has shed light on the various myths common among youngsters associated with cancer.
The poll of 13 to 24-year-olds for the Teenage Cancer Trust Today’s survey of 520 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : UK youngsters think kissing or a kick in the genitals can cause cancer.
Global warming 60m years ago improved Tropical forest diversity
WASHINGTON – Global warming may not have any adverse effect on the Tropical forests, as scientists have suggested that nearly 60 million years ago rainforests prospered at temperatures that were 3-5 degrees higher and at atmospheric carbon dioxide levels 2.5 times today’s levels.
“We’re going to have a novel climate scenario,” said Joe Wright, of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Global warming 60m years ago improved Tropical forest diversity.
Genetically engineered mosquitoes thwart dengue spreaders
LONDON – Fight against dengue would soon become more efficient, as scientists have successfully conducted an outdoor trial of genetically modified mosquitoes to sabotage the dengue spreaders.
By the end of the six-month trial, populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread the dengue virus, had plummeted, reports New Scientist.
“It’s a proof of principle, that it works,” …. Source : Genetically engineered mosquitoes thwart dengue spreaders.
Yoga gives a boost to feel-good brain chemical: Study
WASHINGTON – A new research suggests that yoga has a greater positive effect on a person’s mood and anxiety level than walking and other forms of exercise, which may be due to higher levels of the brain chemical GABA.
GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a chemical in the brain that helps to regulate nerve activity.
GABA activity … Read more >>.
World’s first robotic rotary dairy does the job of a farmer
MELBOURNE – Leaving the bed at the crack of dawn could soon become a thing of the past for Oz dairy farmers-thanks to a new robotic rotary dairy that does the job of a farmer.
Instead of the farmer putting the milking cups on the cows’ udders by hand, two robotic arms come out when a …. Read the original article : here.
Earth had enough oxygen to start life ‘400mn yrs earlier than thought’
LONDON – Scientists have found that oxygen had reached a level where it could have supported life much earlier than thought – 400 million years further back in time.
The evidence is found in 1.2-billion-year-old rocks from Scotland, which show signatures of bacterial activity known to occur when there is copious atmospheric oxygen.
This is not to …. Source article : Earth had enough oxygen to start life ‘400mn yrs earlier than thought’.
Fruitfly study leads to human pain gene discovery
WASHINGTON – Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston have reported the find of a novel pain gene.
People with minor variations in this gene showed clear differences in susceptibility to acute heat pain and chronic back pain.
The discovery, uncovered in a genome-wide hunt for pain genes in fruit flies, will lead to the development of new analgesics, … Read : Fruitfly study leads to human pain gene discovery.
Want to stop daydreaming? Have sex!
LONDON – We often find ourselves drifting away while at work or studying but experts have said that it’s bad for health – and now the best way to avoid daydreaming is to make love, it seems.
Mind-wandering turns out to be extremely common – users reported daydreaming almost 50 per cent of the time – … Read more >>.
India should focus on domestic climate change: Ramesh
NEW DELHI – Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Friday said that India’s approach on climate change has been unduly influenced by international negotiations and the country needs to focus on the domestic process.
Speaking at the National Policy Dialogue on Climate Change Actions here, Ramesh said adaptation to climate change has to be a community driven …. Source article on Gaea Times at : India should focus on domestic climate change: Ramesh.
Oil spills pose threat to China’s oceans, says think tank
BEIJING – The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development has said that oil spills are posing an increasing threat to the country’s marine environment even as energy demand grows.
In a report released Thursday, the CCIC said the volume of China’s oil transported by sea now ranked third in the world following the …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Oil spills pose threat to China’s oceans, says think tank.
How cats lap up milk so elegantly
WASHINGTON – A team of researchers think they have the answer to a mystery that has long puzzled cat lovers: exactly how do their feline friends lap up milk so elegantly?
Researchers at MIT, Virginia Tech and Princeton University analyzed the way domestic and big cats lap and found that felines of all sizes take advantage …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Tiny bubbles ‘could deliver stroke drugs directly into the brain’
LONDON – Scientists believe that bubbles could deliver a devastating blow to disease.
Injected into the blood, tiny bubbles of gas can ease the passage of vital stroke drugs into the brain, helping prevent damage to the grey matter.
Now, a group of researchers calling themselves ‘the bubble community’ are studying how they could help fight disease.
They … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tiny bubbles ‘could deliver stroke drugs directly into the brain’.
Diabetes drug may retard growth of cysts in polycystic kidney disease
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that a drug usually used to treat diabetes may also retard the growth of fluid-filled cysts of the most common genetic disorder-polycystic kidney disease.
Researchers of the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic reported that pioglitazone appeared to control the growth of PKD cysts.
Using a … Read more >>.
Severe acne may raise suicide risk
LONDON – Individuals who have a severe acne problem are at a higher risk of attempting suicide, reveals a new study.
The study has also found that an additional risk may be present during and up to one year after treatment with isotretinoin, a commonly prescribed drug for severe acne.
However, the authors stressed that the additional …. Read the original article : Severe acne may raise suicide risk.
30-second test to predict Alzheimer’s on the anvil
LONDON – Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease decades before symptoms appear would soon be possible, courtesy a 30-second test being developed by scientists.
The simple procedure, which detects the signs of Alzheimer’s in those in their 40s, brings the hope of routine screening for dementia in as little as two years.
Those found to have a tiny piece … Original article on : 30-second test to predict Alzheimer’s on the anvil.
Almonds can boost men’s sex lives
KUALA LUMPUR – Here’s a piece of advice for men who want a healthy sex life – start taking more almonds.
Sin Chew Daily reported that a study showed that almonds have a high quantity of a type of amino acid called arginine, which helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
However, the study added …. Source : Gaea News Network.
‘Ice-free’ surfaces to repel freezing water
WASHINGTON – Scientists have designed and demonstrated ice-free nanostructured materials that literally repel water droplets before they even have the chance to freeze.
The finding, by engineers from Harvard University, could lead to a new way to keep airplane wings, buildings, powerlines, and even entire … Read : ‘Ice-free’ surfaces to repel freezing water.
Mathematical model of red blood cells’ life cycle may predict anemia risk
WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a mathematical model reflecting how red blood cells change in size and hemoglobin content during their four-month lifespan.
The study is collaboration between a physician-researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and a mathematician from Harvard …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Mathematical model of red blood cells’ life cycle may predict anemia risk.
Scientists explore 1510 influenza pandemic and lessons learned
WASHINGTON – Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, have explored the 1510 pandemic and what we have learned since then about preventing, controlling and treating influenza.
Prior …. Read the original article : Scientists explore 1510 influenza pandemic and lessons learned.
Fruit fly study sheds light on brain development and diseases
WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a new genetic marker that makes fruit fly a better model for brain development and diseases.
The human brain is composed of 100 billion individual nerve cells which communicate with each other via a complex network of connections. Errors in communications of these cells are often at the basis of brain … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Fruit fly study sheds light on brain development and diseases.
Satellites produce up-to-date information on global snow cover
WASHINGTON – Gathering fresh information on the snow situation right after a snowfall was not possible before when only land-based observations were available.
Now, a new European Space Agency???s (ESA) GlobSnow project, led by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, uses satellites to produce up-to-date information on global snow cover.
The project can map the extent and …. Source : Satellites produce up-to-date information on global snow cover.
Rock-burning, sea-zapping geoengineering may help fight climate change
LONDON – Rocks that suck carbon dioxide out of the air could be key in the fight against climate change, say scientists.
While addressing a conference at the Royal Society in London this week, Tim Kruger of Oxford Geoengineering, a networking organisation in the UK, said that “enhanced weathering” could in theory remove as much CO2 [..] Read the original article: here.
Sleep reorganizes memories to help produce new and creative ideas
WASHINGTON – It is already known that sleep helps consolidate memories, fixing them in the brain so we can retrieve them later. Now, a new study has shown that sleep also reorganizes memories, picking out the emotional details and reconfiguring the memories to help produce new and creative ideas.
“Sleep is making memories stronger. It … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sleep reorganizes memories to help produce new and creative ideas.
Obstructive sleep apnea may shrink brain’s gray matter
WASHINGTON – A new research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may cause structural defects in the brain’s gray matter, resulting in problems with cognitive functions such as attention and memory.
These brain changes are likely caused by the intermittent oxygen deprivation that occurs in people with OSA, who temporarily stop breathing many times each night.
To … Read more »»».
Scientists move one step closer to vaccine for urinary tract infections
WASHINGTON – A vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections caused by E. coli may one day become a reality, thanks to a new research.
Using a genetic technique rarely used to look at infections in human hosts, scientists from the University of Michigan studied how the E. coli bacteria operate and discovered key differences between how …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Leonid meteor shower to brighten November sky next week
WASHINGTON – Astronomy enthusiasts will be treated with best viewing of the Leonid meteor shower in the two to three hours before dawn on November 17 and 18, says the StarDate magazine.
There is always some uncertainty in the number of meteors the Leonid shower will produce, but viewers could expect to see at least 20 …. Source article : Leonid meteor shower to brighten November sky next week.
Pulses of light might one day keep diseased hearts beating
LONDON – Heart muscles genetically engineered to respond to optical stimulation could improve models of heart attacks, and may also increase the understanding of how the embryonic heart develops, say scientists.
The works are among the earliest applications outside the nervous system of a technique called optogenetics. This approach switches cells on and off using proteins … Read more »»».
Sugar cube-sized supercomputer in 10 to 15 years: IBM
LONDON – IBM scientists have said that a pioneering research effort could shrink the world’s most powerful supercomputer processors to the size of a sugar cube.
The approach will see many computer processors stacked on top of one another, cooling them with water flowing between each one.
The plan is to reduce computers’ energy use, rather than …. Source : Sugar cube-sized supercomputer in 10 to 15 years: IBM.
Light rains in Delhi, more forecast
NEW DELHI – The national capital saw light rains Saturday morning and the weatherman has forecast more showers and a cloudy day ahead.
“The skies will remain partly cloudy and there will be light drizzle and thundery developments throughout the day in some parts of the city,” an official of the India Meteorological Department … Read : Light rains in Delhi, more forecast.
Now, a cocktail vending machine that dishes out Mojitos every 30 seconds
LONDON – Long waits before you get your cocktails ready and served may become a thing of the past, thanks to a new machine that dispenses icy cocktails at speed from a bar tap.
Mixing the cocktails, which includes laboriously crushing and blending the ice for each sweet and slushy drink, means it can take ages … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, a cocktail vending machine that dishes out Mojitos every 30 seconds.
Can’t remember faces? Blame your superior reading skills
LONDON – Do you have bad memory for faces? Well, your superior reading skills may be to blame, according to a new brain-scan study.
Previously, Stanislas Dehaene at the INSERM-CEA Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit in Saclay, France, proposed a “neuronal recycling” theory, which suggests that new skills are handled by existing brain-cell circuits with older but related …. Original article : Can’t remember faces? Blame your superior reading skills.
Scientists solve the ‘annoying wet dog shake’ mystery
WASHINGTON – Seeing a dog shake and shimmy after a bath is a common sight – and now scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have figured how fast a sopping wet pooch must shimmy to dry himself off.
They discovered that the smaller the animals, the faster they must generally shake to dry themselves off.
The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists solve the ‘annoying wet dog shake’ mystery.
India to slash transport emissions
UNITED NATIONS – India, the world’s fourth largest greenhouse gas emitter, has launched a new United Nations-backed project to reduce emissions and develop a low-carbon transport system.
New Delhi will work with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the German non-governmental organization International Climate Initiative on a $2.5 million, three-year project to bring the country’s … Read more >>.
Cloudy day ahead in Delhi
NEW DELHI – Saturday began on a misty note for Delhi and the weatherman predicted a cloudy day ahead.
“The skies will remain partly cloudy and thundery developments may occur towards the afternoon or evening in some parts of the city,” an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The minimum temperature was …. Source : Cloudy day ahead in Delhi.
Facebook readying challenge to Gmail: Report
SAN FRANCISCO – Facebook is set to announce a new email feature Monday that could challenge Gmail, Yahoo mail and Hotmail as the most popular online email services, according to news reports.
The service by the popular social networking company will for the first time allow the site’s 500 million members to use “@facebook.com” addresses … Read : Facebook readying challenge to Gmail: Report.
Twitter can give a boost to students’ grades
WASHINGTON – A study has suggested that using social networking sites like Twitter as a tool in university courses can help increase student engagement and also boost their grades.
The research was carried out by Rey Junco of Lock Haven University, Greg Heiberger of South Dakota State University and Eric Loken of The Pennsylvania State …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Twitter can give a boost to students’ grades.
Graphic images on cigarette packs influence intentions to quit smoking
WASHINGTON – Highly graphic images of the negative consequences of smoking have the greatest impact on smokers’ intentions to quit, say researchers at the University of Arkansas, Villanova University and Marquette University.
Their findings are based on a survey of more than 500 U.S. and Canadian smokers.
The most graphic images, such as those showing severe …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Graphic images on cigarette packs influence intentions to quit smoking.
Compound found in liquorice root could treat brain diseases
WASHINGTON – Compound found in liquorice root could help prevent or slow down the cell death associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, says a neuroscientist at the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Rosemarie Booze, the Bicentennial Chair Professor in Behavorial Neuroscience in the university’s College of Arts and Sciences, is isolating liquiritigenin-or … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Compound found in liquorice root could treat brain diseases.
Brain chemical that regulates mood may have anti-diabetic properties
LONDON – Serotonin – a brain chemical known to help regulate emotion, mood and sleep – might also have anti-diabetic properties, new findings by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest.
The findings also offer a potential explanation for why individuals prescribed certain kinds of anti-psychotic drugs that affect serotonin signaling sometimes have problems with their …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Britain may run out of web addresses by 2012
LONDON – Britain will run out of internet addresses by 2012, warns a web scientist.
Vint Cerf, a Google vice-president, said the “unbelievable” trend could prevent British businesses from communicating with their customers around the world and in the country.
Cerf said the final tranche of web addresses would be allocated between the …. Original article : Britain may run out of web addresses by 2012.
Haryana to implement strict ban on plastic bags, containers
CHANDIGARH – Haryana will strictly implement a ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of virgin and recycled plastic carry bags, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said here Sunday.
A ban on littering of plastic articles such as plates, cups, tumblers, spoons, forks and straws at public places like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Haryana to implement strict ban on plastic bags, containers.
Cilantro ingredient can suppress foul odour of ‘chitlins’
WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified an ingredient in cilantro that quashes the notoriously foul odour of chitlins – a smell known to drive people from the house when chitlins are cooking.
Yasuyoshi Hayata and colleagues note that chitlins – hog large intestines – are infamous for their foul smell, which is reminiscent of the waste …. Read the original article : Cilantro ingredient can suppress foul odour of ‘chitlins’.
Slippery feet remind beetles to bathe
WASHINGTON – Insects skitter along leaves, logs and the sides of your picnic basket using their adhesive footpads. Now, a new study has revealed just how beetles keep their feet clean and ready to cling.
The research showed that it’s a decrease in friction that tells beetles to groom their dirty feet.
Lead author Stanislav Gorb …. Read the original article : here.
Red light forces cancer cells to absorb chemo drugs
LONDON – Scientists have suggested that cancer cells suck up chemotherapy drugs more readily if they are zapped with red light.
According to researchers, the finding could help produce more effective cancer treatments.
Most cancer chemotherapy relies on cells absorbing drugs by diffusion across the cell membrane.
This does not always work, because some cells simply …. Source : Red light forces cancer cells to absorb chemo drugs.
Sexually abused street teens have sex at an early age to get partner approval
WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that homeless teens who were sexually molested as children may be motivated to have sex at an earlier age because they are seeking approval from their partners.
The research has been conducted by Ryerson University.
“For homeless teens, especially young women, being sexually abused as children may make these young … Read more : Sexually abused street teens have sex at an early age to get partner approval.
190mn yrs old dinosaur eggs offer insights into infancy and growth
WASHINGTON – After sitting in collections for nearly three decades, some well preserved dinosaur eggs have offered new insights into the infancy and growth of early dinosaurs.
They represent the oldest embryos of any land-dwelling vertebrate ever found.
The eggs, found in 1976 in South Africa, date from the early part of the Jurassic Period, 190 million …. Read the original article : here.
Broccoli juice may keep skin cancer at bay
WELLINGTON – Forget sunscreens, the thing that can actually protect your skin from UV rays is broccoli juice, say scientists.
Scientists in the United States have been testing broccoli extract on human volunteers and mice, which showed their skin was protected against sunburn.
Broccoli contains sulforaphane, an antioxidant, which helps stop sunburn and tumour development.
Additionally, scientists in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Broccoli juice may keep skin cancer at bay.
Dyslexia secret of Da Vinci and Picasso’s success
LONDON – The secret of Leonardo da Vinci and Pablo Picasso’s success may have been their dyslexia, a learning difficulty. Researchers say that dyslexics have a better understanding of space.
The famous artists suffered from dyslexia, the inability to see words written properly, which is thought to affect as many as one in 12 children. … Read : Dyslexia secret of Da Vinci and Picasso’s success.
China to breed earthworms to recycle kitchen waste
BEIJING – An environmental group in China is planning to breed earthworms in a bid to recycle kitchen waste in several cities across the country.
Friends of Nature – one of the oldest environmental groups in the country – has recruited 21 families for the breeding purpose in Zhengzhou in Henan province, Xinhua reported Sunday.
…. Original article on Gaea Times at : China to breed earthworms to recycle kitchen waste.
How much energy do we expend while walking?
WASHINGTON – Why do children tire more quickly than adults when out on a walk? Walkers use the same amount of energy per stride, but it becomes less economical for people of shorter height as they have to take more steps, researchers say.
Peter Weyand from Southern Methodist University, US, teamed up with Maurice Puyau … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How much energy do we expend while walking?.
Heat-powered fan to make stoves cleaner
WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania State University student is helping design a better cook stove for people in developing countries.
Paul Montgomery will present a simple heat-powered fan that could help to make these stoves more efficient and combat the serious health problems associated with cooking in unventilated spaces.
Some moderate-sized devices generate combined heat and power, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Heat-powered fan to make stoves cleaner.
Indian-origin boffin Muneesh Tewari receives Presidential Early Career Award
WASHINGTON – An Indian-origin scientist has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers – the nation’s highest honor for scientists at the beginning of their independent research careers.
Muneesh Tewari, an oncologist and cancer researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is among 85 researchers and engineers nationwide to receive the honor … Read : Indian-origin boffin Muneesh Tewari receives Presidential Early Career Award.
Global warming threat to tropical rainforests exaggerated
LONDON – The threat to tropical rainforests from global warming may have been exaggerated, says a new study.
Researchers have shown that the world’s tropical forests thrived in the far distant past when temperatures were 3 to 5 Celsius warmer than today.
They believe that a wetter, warmer future may actually boost plants and animals … Read more »».
Men too can fake orgasms: Study
WASHINGTON – Women aren’t the only ones who can pretend to have orgasms, according to a new study, which found that even men feign pleasure in bed.
In a study of more than 200 college students, 25 percent of men and half of the women reported that they’d acted out an orgasm during sexual activity.
The … Original source on Gaea Times at : Men too can fake orgasms: Study.
Indians have harmed tigers more than the colonialists: Goa governor
PANAJI – Indians, not the colonialists, have let down the tiger, Goa’s governor S.S. Sidhu said Saturday, adding that contrary to forest department’s claims, there was evidence to suggest that tigers exist in Goa’s forests.
“Even the Royal Bengal tiger is endangered because of indiscriminate poaching. In India, it seems, we have done more …. Source : Indians have harmed tigers more than the colonialists: Goa governor.