Science News – Newsletter for November 19, 2010

Scientists achieve ‘David and Goliath’ black-hole mergers

WASHINGTON – For the first time ever, scientists at Rochester Institute of Technology have achieved the merger of two black holes of vastly different sizes, with one mass 100 times larger than the other.

This extreme mass ratio of 100:1 breaks a barrier in the fields of numerical …. Original article  : Scientists achieve ‘David and Goliath’ black-hole mergers.

Mystery of missing stars in Universe may finally be solved

WASHINGTON – Star births in the Universe occur round the clock and according to calculations, we should be able to see a lot more stars than we currently do – so where have all the stars gone?

Dr. Pflamm-Altenburg and Professor Dr. Pavel Kroupa at … Read more >>.

2,700-yr-old pyramid tomb with royal burials, jewels unearthed in Mexico

WASHINGTON – A 2,700-year-old pyramid tomb containing royal burials and jewels was uncovered in Mexico by archaeologists from Brigham Young University.

The tomb in Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico, could resolve the debate of when and how the mysterious Zoque civilization arose, according to excavation leader …. Read the original article  : here.

200mn-yr-old fossils reveal how snakes’ syringe-like venom fangs evolved

LONDON – Scientists are analysing fossils of a 200 million-year-old reptile of the late Triassic period to understand how syringe-like teeth evolved in snakes that exist today.

Although not closely related to snakes, Uatchitodon’s hollow fangs suggest … Read more >>.

Astronomers find giant extragalactic planet

LONDON – Astronomers have for the first time spotted a planet that originated outside the galaxy.

Till date, about 500 planets have been discovered. This is the first known planet to have been born elsewhere.
The gas planet, at least 25 percent heavier than Jupiter or 400 times heavier than Earth, orbits a [..] Read the original article: here.

Mars ‘hopper’ could lead to a greater understanding of the Red Planet

WASHINGTON – University of Leicester space scientists are developing a conceptual motor design for a Mars ‘hopping’ vehicle which should lead to a greater understanding of the Red Planet.

Robots exploring Mars can carry scientific instruments that measure the physical and chemical characteristics of the Martian surface and subsurface, analyse the environment and look for …. Read the original article  : Mars ‘hopper’ could lead to a greater understanding of the Red Planet.

Compound to starve cancers of sugar-based building blocks found

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a compound that could be used to starve cancers of their sugar-based building blocks.

The compound, called a glutaminase inhibitor, has been tested on laboratory-cultured, sugar-hungry brain cancer cells and, the scientists say, may have the potential to be used for many types of primary brain tumors.

The Johns Hopkins scientists … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Compound to starve cancers of sugar-based building blocks found.

NASA’s bread-loaf-sized nanosatellite to study life in space

WASHINGTON – In an attempt to answer astrobiology’s fundamental questions about the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe, NASA is getting ready to fly a small satellite about the size of a loaf of bread.

The nanosatellite, known as Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses, or O/OREOS, is a secondary payload aboard a U.S. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NASA’s bread-loaf-sized nanosatellite to study life in space.

People with exhaustion syndrome demonstrate impaired memory

WASHINGTON – A new study from Umea University in Sweden has shown that exhaustion syndrome, also called burnout and exhaustion depression, leaves objectively measurable changes in the brain.

Certain personality traits heighten susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. Therefore a research team at Umea University wanted to study whether this patient group had any susceptibility factors that could … Original article on : People with exhaustion syndrome demonstrate impaired memory.

Facebook, Twitter blamed for pupils’ low grades, poor concentration

LONDON – A study has revealed that British teachers believe social networking sites are the reason behind pupils’ poor grades.

According to a report, children who spend much of their time online find it harder to concentrate in class, are permanently distracted and have shorter attention spans.

Teachers also put the dip in the quality of children’s …. Source  : Facebook, Twitter blamed for pupils’ low grades, poor concentration.

Scientists discover planet from another galaxy

WASHINGTON – A planet with a minimum mass 1.25 times that of Jupiter has been discovered orbiting a star of extragalactic origin, even though the star now finds itself within our own galaxy.

It is part of the so-called Helmi stream – a group of stars that originally belonged to a dwarf galaxy that was devoured … Read more »»».

Why booze might be good for your heart

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered that a well-known molecule called Notch may be behind alcohol’s beneficial effects.

The find could help scientists create a new treatment for heart disease that mimics the beneficial influence of modest alcohol consumption.

“Any understanding of a socially acceptable, modifiable activity that many people engage in, like drinking, is useful as we …. Source article  : Why booze might be good for your heart.

How eating less can make you live longer

WASHINGTON – A new study has discovered a molecular pathway that is a key determinant of the aging process and could explain why eating less could extend lifespan.

“We’re getting closer and closer to a good understanding of how caloric restriction works. This study is the first direct proof for a mechanism underlying the anti-aging effects …. Source article  : How eating less can make you live longer.

Modeling not just about having a pretty face: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study uncovers the decisions that happen behind the scenes of the glossy photos and slick commercials in the modelling industry.

Stephanie Sadre-Orafai, a University of Cincinnati assistant professor and socio-cultural anthropologist explored how casting agents consider race, the transformation of appearance, balancing fantasy and truth, and selling an image, plus how that …. Read the original article  : Modeling not just about having a pretty face: Study.

NASA images reveal cosmic snowstorm post comet encounter

WASHINGTON – Images captured by NASA’s spacecraft after the recent encounter with Comet Hartley 2 revealed a cosmic snow storm created by carbon dioxide jets spewing out tons of golf-ball to basketball-sized fluffy ice particles from the peanut-shaped comet’s rocky ends.

“This is the first time we’ve ever seen individual chunks of ice in the cloud …. Original article  : NASA images reveal cosmic snowstorm post comet encounter.

Headless Egypt king statue could give clues to Cleopatra’s tomb

WASHINGTON – A headless statue of a Greek king has been discovered in the ruins of an ancient Egyptian temple, adding to evidence that the structure could be the final resting place of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, say excavation leaders.

For the past five years, archaeologists have been searching around the temple of Taposiris Magna, about … Read : Headless Egypt king statue could give clues to Cleopatra’s tomb.

Exercise important for those at special risk for Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – People who are more prone to cognitive decline, including development of Alzheimer’s disease, can decrease their risk by doing regular exercising, a new study has suggested.

J. Carson Smith of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) included in the study both people who carry a high-risk gene for Alzheimer’s disease, and other healthy older adults … Read more : Exercise important for those at special risk for Alzheimer’s.

For male macaques, bonding is a political move

WASHINGTON – Thought only humans make friends? Not really, as a new study has found that unrelated male macaques in the wild form close social partnerships with select males in their groups that resembles human friendships.

Moreover, it appears the motivation for those males to maintain close ties with other males is political in nature.

“We were …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : For male macaques, bonding is a political move.

Why so many antibodies turn out to be ineffective in blocking HIV infection

LONDON – Duke University scientists have found why some of the earliest and most abundant antibodies available fail to protect against HIV infection.

The scientists based their conclusion on the results of a series of crystallography and biochemical experiments that revealed the specific molecular structures different types of antibodies need to have in place in order …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why so many antibodies turn out to be ineffective in blocking HIV infection.

Discovery’s launch delayed until December 3

WASHINGTON – NASA has deferred a launch status meeting and news conference scheduled for Nov. 22.

The events have been rescheduled in the wake of a Space Shuttle Program meeting that determined more analysis is needed before proceeding toward the launch of space shuttle Discovery on its STS-133 mission.

The Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) identified the …. Source  : Discovery’s launch delayed until December 3.