Science News – Newsletter for December 2, 2010

Temperature plummets 5 degrees Celsius in Shimla

SHIMLA – A cold wave tightened its grip over the hills of Himachal Pradesh Thursday with Shimla registering a sharp fall of 5.1 degrees, a Met department official here said.

“Shimla recorded a maximum decline of 5.1 degrees Celsius from Wednesday’s 8.2 degrees Celsius,” meteorological office director Manmohan Singh told IANS.
He attributed the sudden …. Source article  : Temperature plummets 5 degrees Celsius in Shimla.

Computers may one day solve problems as creatively as humans

WASHINGTON – Although a computer can crunch several million numbers in a few seconds, it cannot be expected to spot a fake bronze coin which has, say, 544 B.C inscribed on it – something a human would be able to spot immediately.

Solving this “insight problem” requires creativity, a skill at which humans excel (the coin …. Original article  : Computers may one day solve problems as creatively as humans.

What’s your ideal body mass index?

LONDON – Having a body mass index between 20.0 and 24.9 is associated with the lowest risk of death in healthy non-smoking adults, a new study has revealed.

The research team included investigators from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and collaborators from a dozen other major research institutions worldwide.

BMI, [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Do Not Track’ program protects Internet consumer’s privacy

WASHINGTON – The much-awaited “Do Not Track” mechanism report has finally been outlined by the Federal Trade Commission in order to protect the interests of Internet consumers.

The mechanism will ensure that consumers know and understand what information is being collected and used about them. The guidelines would prevent third parties from collecting sensitive information about … Read more »»».

Genes linking puberty to body fat in women discovered

LONDON – In a breakthrough research, scientists have discovered 30 new genes that control the age of sexual maturation in women.

Many of these genes are also known to act on body weight regulation or biological pathways related to fat metabolism.

Puberty is triggered after a child reaches a certain age – and the heavier …. Original source  : Genes linking puberty to body fat in women discovered.

Risk of developing radiation-induced cancer may be lower than thought

WASHINGTON – Scientists have suggested that the risk of developing radiation-induced cancer from computed tomography (CT) may be lower than previously thought.

The researchers at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. conducted a retrospective study using Medicare claims from 1998 through 2005 to analyze the distribution of CT scans, determine the ionizing radiation exposure associated with … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Risk of developing radiation-induced cancer may be lower than thought.

Annual breast cancer screening starting at age 40 cuts mastectomy risk

WASHINGTON – Researchers have said that having a yearly mammogram greatly reduces the risk of mastectomy following breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 50.

“The results of this study support the importance of regular screening in the 40 to 50 age group,” said lead author Nicholas M. Perry, director of The London …. Read the original article  : Annual breast cancer screening starting at age 40 cuts mastectomy risk.

Snot affects out sense of smell: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study in mice has found out that enzymes in nasal mucus change certain scents well before the nose can detect them.

This might explain why a rose sniffed through a snotty nose may not smell so sweet.

The study results showed that lowly mucus might feature prominently in the sense of smell, …. Source article  : Snot affects out sense of smell: Study.

Loss of biodiversity ‘threatens human health’

LONDON – A new research has warned that the loss of biodiversity-from beneficial bacteria to charismatic mammals-threatens human health.

Researchers at the Bard College, New York, found that the loss of species from a range of ecosystems, including forests and fields, could lead to a boost in the transmission of infectious diseases.

They explored the link between …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Loss of biodiversity ‘threatens human health’.

New technology could turn ocean into giant power plant

WASHINGTON – Experts at Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering are testing a new technology to convert the energy produced by waves into electricity, which could the ocean into a giant power plant.

The point of the project is to demonstrate an alternative way to produce electricity that is clean, green and friendly to marine …. Read the original article  : here.

Supercomputers could some day think as fast as human brain

LONDON – Researcher at IBM’s silicon integrated nanophotonics group at Yorktown Heights, in New York, unveiled a new type of computer chip that integrates both electrical and optical nano-devices on the same piece of silicon.

This could soon make it possible for supercomputers to perform one million trillion calculations – or an exaflop – in a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Supercomputers could some day think as fast as human brain.

Engineered bugs could ‘turn plant material into biofuels’

WASHINGTON – New research from Concordia University shows that bacterium can be engineered to transform plant material into biofuels or other chemicals.

Concordia biology professor Vincent Martin and student Andrew Wieczorek demonstrated how structural or scaffolding proteins on the surface of the bacteria can be engineered in Lactococcus lactis towards the breakdown of plant material. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gene duplication discovered in patients with major depression

WASHINGTON – Major depression patients have a duplicated region of DNA on chromosome 5, according to a new research.

The gene involved plays an important role in the development of nerve cells, adding to evidence that disruptions in neurotransmission networks form a biological basis for depression.

“The copy number variations we discovered were exclusive to people with …. Source  : Gene duplication discovered in patients with major depression.

If your GPS stops working, find your way with ’shoe radar’!

WASHINGTON – The invasion of GPS technology in everything – from cars to cell phones – has ensured that we never get lost, but what if your GPS stops working?

North Carolina State University and Carnegie Mellon University researchers have now developed a shoe-embedded radar system that may help you find your way.

“There are situations where …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : If your GPS stops working, find your way with ’shoe radar’!.

‘Endurance exercises’ can make us look younger

WASHINGTON – A new study from Tel Aviv University has found that ‘endurance exercises,’ like a Central Park jog or a spinning class, can make us look younger.

The key, exercise, unlocks the stem cells of our muscles.

Prof. Dafna Benayahu and her team at Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine say their findings … Original article on : ‘Endurance exercises’ can make us look younger.

First coca leaves chewed 8,000 years ago: Study

LONDON – Archaeological evidence has shown that Peruvian foraging societies were already chewing coca leaves 8,000 years ago.

Ruins beneath house floors in the northwestern Peru showed evidence of chewed coca and calcium-rich rocks.

Such rocks would have been burned to create lime, chewed with coca to release more of its active chemicals.

An international team said the …. Original article  : First coca leaves chewed 8,000 years ago: Study.

Srinagar has coldest night of season so far

SRINAGAR – Jammu an Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar shivered through the night Thursday as the mercury slid to minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, making it teh coldest night of the seson so far, the Met Ofice said.

The minimum temperature was minus 2.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today (Thursday) making it the coldest night …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Loud snoring, insomnia symptoms linked to metabolic syndrome

WASHINGTON – A new study found that loud snoring and two common insomnia symptoms – difficulty falling asleep and unrefreshing sleep – each significantly predicted the development of the metabolic syndrome.

The study emphasizes the importance of screening for common sleep complaints in routine clinical practice.

Results of multivariate logistic regression models show that the risk … Original article on : Loud snoring, insomnia symptoms linked to metabolic syndrome.

Long-term exposure to pesticides linked to dementia

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that long-term exposure to pesticides may be linked to the development of dementia.

The authors base their findings on 614 vineyard workers in South West France whose intellectual capacity was monitored for up to six years as part of the PHYTONER study.

This aims to track the impact … Read : Long-term exposure to pesticides linked to dementia.

Honey bee? No, aircraft on autopilot!

SYDNEY – It can do the loop, the barrel roll and is precise and deft. And no, it’s not a honey bee. A novel autopilot can now help aircraft perform these aerobatic manoeuvres.

Allowing aircraft to quickly sense which way is ‘up’ by imitating how honeybees see, researchers have made it possible for planes to …. Original source  : Honey bee? No, aircraft on autopilot!.