Science News – Newsletter for December 15, 2010

Robot arm boosts brain-controlled device’s performance

WASHINGTON – A new University of Chicago study has found that the performance of a brain-machine interface designed to help paralysed people move objects with their thoughts just got better with the addition of a robotic arm providing sensory feedback.

The study found that adding a robot arm that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Robot arm boosts brain-controlled device’s performance.

New discoveries resolve debate over oxygen in Earth’s mantle

WASHINGTON – Recent discoveries by a University of Rhode Island scientist are bringing resolution to the debate among geologists about the availability of oxygen in the Earth’s mantle.

Analysis of erupted rock from Agrigan volcano in the western Pacific near Guam has found it … Original source on Gaea Times at : New discoveries resolve debate over oxygen in Earth’s mantle.

‘Solar tsunami’ offers new clues about sun

LONDON – It was the breathtaking solar event that sparked spectacular displays of Northern Lights across much of the northern hemisphere.

In August, the sun’s surface suddenly erupted and blasted tons of plasma – ionised atoms – into interplanetary space. It took two days for the atoms to travel the 93 million miles to Earth.
… Read more >>>.

Join Facebook for public, district magistrate to officials

LUCKNOW – The district magistrate of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday asked senior government officials to join popular networking site Facebook so that they are easily accessible to public.

Mukesh Meshram directed additional district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates and additional city magistrates to join Facebook after opening an account on the site on behalf of the …. Source article  : Join Facebook for public, district magistrate to officials.

Giant rats detect TB more accurately than commonly used techniques

WASHINGTON – A new study found that trained giant African rats increased positive TB detection rates by 44 percent over microscopy, the most commonly-used technique for diagnosing TB.

The study, utilizing trained giant African pouched rats, analyzed sputum samples of 10,523 patients from five Direct Observation Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) centers in Tanzania.

The samples were first … Read more >>.

Human umbilical cord blood cells boost survival, maturation of key brain cells

WASHINGTON – Human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBs) provide a ‘trophic effect’ (nutritional effect) that enhances survival and maturation of hippocampal neurons harvested from both young and old laboratory animals, studies examining the activity of human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCB) on experimental models of central nervous system aging, injury and disease, show.

“As we age, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Human umbilical cord blood cells boost survival, maturation of key brain cells.

New hope for late-stage liver cancer patients

WASHINGTON – Scientists have offered new hope to patients with late-stage liver cancer.

The latest weapon against inoperable liver cancer is so tiny that it takes millions of them per treatment, but according to interventional radiologists at the Indiana University School of Medicine, those microscopic spheres really pack a therapeutic punch.

The glass spheres contain a radioactive …. Read the original article  : New hope for late-stage liver cancer patients.

Depression, not video games, could be to blame for youth violence

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that violence in video games or on television is not related to serious acts of youth aggression.

In fact, how depressed young people are strongly predicts how aggressive and violent they may be or may become, says Dr. Christopher Ferguson from Texas A and M International University who …. Source  : Depression, not video games, could be to blame for youth violence.

Novel memory-enhancing mechanism in brain discovered

WASHINGTON – A novel mechanism in the brain that boosts memory has been identified by UC Irvine researchers.

In collaboration with scientists at Germany’s University of Munster, the UCI team found that a small protein called neuropeptide S can strengthen and prolong memories of everything from negative events to simple objects.

According to study leader Rainer Reinscheid, …. Read the original article  : Novel memory-enhancing mechanism in brain discovered.

Brains of fighter pilots are ‘more sensitive’: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study, which included cognitive tests and MRI scans, has found that fighter pilots’ brains are more sensitive as compared to a control group.

The research compared the cognitive performance of 11 front-line RAF (Royal Air Force) Tornado fighter pilots to a control group of a similar IQ with no previous experience of [..] Read the original article: here.

Alcohol consumption may increase drug abuse risk: Study

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that ingesting moderate amount of alcohol may increase an individual’s risk of amphetamine abuse.

Amphetamines are large group of drugs known as stimulants, which are widely accessible and previous studies have shown a significant relationship between its abuse and the amount of alcohol consumed.

Craig R. Rush of University …. Original source  : Alcohol consumption may increase drug abuse risk: Study.

Scientists identify Henri IV’s head after 400 years

LONDON – A team of scientists has identified the head of French King, Henri IV, from the skeletons of monarchs lying in mass graves in the Royal Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris.

Dr Philippe Charlier led the scientific breakthrough, which involved other scientists from different fields of expertise including anthropology, pathology, forensic medicine and genetic studies.

Henri …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists identify Henri IV’s head after 400 years.

Map of Facebook friendships shows connections across the globe

MELBOURNE – Ever wondered how the world would look like through Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook eyes? Well, an intern with the social networking giant has created a map of the world by joining the dots between friendships.

The eastern half of the US, Europe and parts of Indonesia shine the brightest, while China, Russia and central Africa …. Source article  : Map of Facebook friendships shows connections across the globe.

People remember unfamiliar faces best between ages 30 and 34

WASHINGTON – If you think that memory fades away with age, you may be wrong, for a new study has revealed that people remember unfamiliar faces best between ages 30 and 34.

In online experiments with 44,680 volunteers, ages 10 to 70, researchers have found that face memory hits its prime shortly after age 30.

“Specialized …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : People remember unfamiliar faces best between ages 30 and 34.

Agra goes all out against polythene bags

AGRA – Jan 1 has been fixed as the deadline to declare the Taj city polythene bag-free and the countdown has begun in right earnest with over 125 citizens’ groups and NGOs joining the battle.

“This is by far the biggest and the most ambitious drive to make the city clean and free from … Read more »».

NASA’s Cassini spots possible ice volcano on Saturn’s moon

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has spotted what could be ice volcanoes on Saturn’s moon Titan.

According to scientists, these possible ice volcanoes are similar in shape to those on Earth that spew molten rock.

Topography and surface composition data have enabled scientists to make the best case yet in the outer solar system for an Earth-like …. Read the original article  : here.

Boozy footbath won’t get you drunk

LONDON – A new research has exploded the Danish urban myth that it is possible to get drunk by submerging your feet in alcohol.

The authors, led by Dr Peter Lommer Kristensen from the Hillerod Hospital in Denmark, say it was important that the myth underwent scientific scrutiny to prevent students wasting their time experimenting with … Original article on : Boozy footbath won’t get you drunk.

Popping a pill can help treat alcoholism

WASHINGTON – An updated review of studies has confirmed that a little-used medication can help treat alcoholism.

Twelve-step programs have been the mainstay for helping alcoholics to quit drinking, but a significant number of people who try these programs do not find them helpful or suffer relapses.

The Cochrane review finds that the medication naltrexone – brand … Read more : Popping a pill can help treat alcoholism.

Life may have survived ‘Snowball Earth’ in ocean pockets 700mn yrs ago

LONDON – A new study has revealed that life may have survived a cataclysmic global freeze in the ocean pockets some 700 million years ago.

Researchers have apparently found evidence in Australia that turbulent seas still raged during the period, where microorganisms may have clung on for life.

Conditions on what is dubbed ‘Snowball Earth’ were so …. Original article  : Life may have survived ‘Snowball Earth’ in ocean pockets 700mn yrs ago.

Praying really can help you deal with hard times

WASHINGTON – Praying really can bring comfort during tough times, a new study has suggested.

Through the course of in-depth interviews with dozens of victims of violent relationships with intimate partners, Shane Sharp of the University of Wisconsin-Madison gathered an array of ways prayer helped them deal with their situations and emotions through coping mechanisms such … Original article on : Praying really can help you deal with hard times.