Science News – Newsletter for December 9, 2010

People behave better when they are being watched: Study

LONDON – It’s true that we are better behaved when someone is watching us, but a new research has stated even if we are surrounded by images of eyes, and not real people, we tend to behave nicely.

Psychologists found that cafe diners were less likely to leave tables untidy when surrounded by posters of staring …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : People behave better when they are being watched: Study.

‘Smart’ hospital beds could improve patient care

WASHINGTON – A new study into hospital bed technology could soon represent a giant leap forward in patient care.

John LaCourse, professor and chair of University of New Hampshire’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is in talks with hospital bed manufacturers to adopt his programmed algorithm technology, which could become the basis for ’smart’ computerized … Read more »».

SpaceX’s Spacecraft Launch Successful

CAPE CANAVERAL (GaeaTimes.com)- A first-of-a-kind commercially developed spaceship was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday morning for its maiden voyage. The first demonstration flight of the SpaceX’s spacecraft known as Dragon, was complete at around 2 on Wednesday afternoon after it plunged into the Pacific Ocean following its completion of two circles …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : SpaceX’s Spacecraft Launch Successful.

Now, grab an iPhone made of T-Rex tooth, meteor!

WASHINGTON – Computer software company Apple has come up with a new iPhone that is part T-Rex tooth and part meteor.

British jeweller Stuart Hughes created the Apple iPhone 4 History Edition, which is encrusted by diamonds, and features the actual tooth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and has a platinum Apple logo, Fox News reported.

The back … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, grab an iPhone made of T-Rex tooth, meteor!.

How Zen meditation controls pain

WASHINGTON – Previous studies have shown that Zen meditation has many health benefits, including a reduced sensitivity to pain. Now researchers at the Universite de Montreal have discovered how meditators achieve this.

They found that meditators do feel pain but they simply don’t dwell on it as much.

“Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we demonstrated that … Read : How Zen meditation controls pain.

TB drug could improve social skills in autistic people

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a potential novel treatment strategy for the social impairment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), an aspect of the condition that has a profound impact on quality of life.

The study has been conducted by Eastern Virginia Medical School researchers.

“Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders are either disinterested in social … Read this article on Gaea Times at : TB drug could improve social skills in autistic people.

New study sheds light on brain’s inherent ability to focus on learning

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered a missing link that explains the interaction between brain state and the neural triggers responsible for learning.

The discovery opens up new ways of boosting cognitive function in the face of diseases such as Alzheimer’s as well as enhancing memory in healthy people.

Much is known about …. Read the original article  : here.

For chimps, dominance is a double-edged sword

WASHINGTON – Dominant animals with higher testosterone levels tend to suffer from an increased burden of parasites, reveals a study of chimpanzees.

Scientists observed the primates’ behavior and studied their droppings to draw the link between dominance and infection status.

Michael Muehlenbein from Indiana University and David Watts from Yale University, USA, carried out the study in … Read more : For chimps, dominance is a double-edged sword.

Climate change could give you cancer, claim scientists

LONDON – Scientists have warned that melting glaciers and ice sheets are releasing cancer-causing pollutants into the air and oceans.

The long-lasting chemicals get into the food chain and build up in people’s bodies – triggering tumours, heart disease and infertility.

Scientists are concerned about a class of man-made toxins called Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs, because … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Climate change could give you cancer, claim scientists.

Slovenia scientists create world’s first 3-D microlaser

WASHINGTON – A new microlaser, developed at the Jozef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is the world’s first practical three-dimensional laser – cheap, portable and quick in operation with high precision output.

Matjaz Humar and Igor Musevic have developed a microdroplet 3-D laser system in which laser light shines forth in all directions from dye molecules …. Source  : Slovenia scientists create world’s first 3-D microlaser.

It could be possible to create matter, antimatter from vacuum, say experts

WASHINGTON – A combination of ultra-high-intensity laser beam and a two-mile-long particle accelerator could be used to create something out of nothing, according to University of Michigan researchers.

Their equations that show how a high-energy electron beam combined with an intense laser pulse could rip apart a vacuum into its fundamental matter and antimatter components, and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : It could be possible to create matter, antimatter from vacuum, say experts.

Spintronics success could pave way for lighter, more efficient TVs, mobiles

LONDON – Researchers from Queen Mary, University of London (UK) and the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) have achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of spintronics.

The researchers have shown that a magnetically polarised current can be manipulated by electric fields.

The discovery opens up the prospect of simultaneously processing and storing data on electrons held in …. Original article  : Spintronics success could pave way for lighter, more efficient TVs, mobiles.

New study offers insights into addiction and impulse-driven behavior

LONDON – Scientists have shed new light on dopamine’s role in the brain’s reward system.

The findings could provide insight into impulse control problems associated with addiction and a number of psychiatric disorders.

A joint study by the University of Michigan and University of Washington found that, contrary to the prevailing conception, differences in individuals’ styles of … Read more >>>.

Soaring is better than flapping for big and small birds

WASHINGTON – The flight patterns of large birds have been well studied. They save energy on the flight to their wintering grounds by soaring through the air on thermal currents. Now, scientists have discovered that small migrating songbirds also do the same thing.

Until now, nothing was clear about the flight patterns of small birds, such …. Original article  : Soaring is better than flapping for big and small birds.

Astronomers discover diamond-studded planet

LONDON – A team of astronomers, led by an Indian-origin boffin, has discovered the first carbon-rich planet, orbiting a star 1,200 light-years away, which could have an interior abundant in diamonds.

Unlike Earth, which is rich in oxygen and has much smaller quantities of carbon, the planet WASP-12b is dominated by carbon and depleted in … Read more >>>.

Scientists produce mice from 2 fathers using stem cell technology

WASHINGTON – Reproductive scientists at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Texas have produced male and female mice from two fathers using stem cell technology.

The achievement of two-father offspring in a species of mammal could be a step toward preserving endangered species, improving livestock breeds, and advancing human assisted reproductive technology (ART).

It also opens the provocative …. Original article  : Scientists produce mice from 2 fathers using stem cell technology.

66mn-yr-old ‘bizzare’ croc ‘may have been a vegetarian’

LONDON – Crocodiles are known to be carnivores, but a new study might prove otherwise.

Scientists now suggest that the basic body structure of crocodiles, alligators and ghariels evolved from a diverse group of prehistoric reptiles with different body shapes.

Over the last 10 years, palaeontologists have put together the complete skeleton of the unusual crocodilian …. Source  : 66mn-yr-old ‘bizzare’ croc ‘may have been a vegetarian’.

High vitamin D levels may not reduce frailty risk in older women

WASHINGTON – Lower and higher vitamin D levels are associated with an increased likelihood of frailty in older women, a new study has found.

Women with vitamin D levels between 20.0 and 29.9 ng/ml are at the lowest risk of frailty.

Vitamin D deficiency and frailty are common with aging. Dimensions of frailty, including weakness and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : High vitamin D levels may not reduce frailty risk in older women.

Baby’s genome lurks in mother’s blood: Study

LONDON – A new study has brought the step of sequencing foetal genome from the mother’s DNA one step closer.

The discovery may offer prospective parents a non-invasive way of testing for any congenital disease.

Scientists in Hong Kong and the United States have mapped hundreds of thousands of DNA code variations spread across the genome of … Read more : Baby’s genome lurks in mother’s blood: Study.

Astronomers discover new planet in planetary system similar to our own

LONDON – Astronomers have announced the discovery of a fourth giant planet outside our solar system, strengthening the similarities between a distant planetary system and our own.

The astronomers say the planetary system resembles a supersized version of our solar system.

“Besides having four giant planets, both systems also contain two ‘debris belts’ composed of small rocky …. Source article  : Astronomers discover new planet in planetary system similar to our own.