Science News – Newsletter for December 17, 2010

New genes as vital to life as old ones

LONDON – Contrary to what most experts previously thought, genes do not have to be old to be vital for life. Even genes that evolved only one million years ago – just a blink in evolutionary terms – can have critical roles, a study has shown.

It has long been assumed that the ‘bread and … Original source on Gaea Times at : New genes as vital to life as old ones.

NASA’s Mars Opportunity rover getting travel tips from orbiting spacecraft

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Mars Opportunity rover, which is exploring areas that might hold clues about past Martian environments, is getting important travel tips from an orbiting spacecraft.

Researchers are using a mineral-mapping instrument aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) to help the rover investigate a large …. Source  : NASA’s Mars Opportunity rover getting travel tips from orbiting spacecraft.

Blocking the development of cancer cells’ feet

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a new novel way to block the critical structure that allows cancer cells to spread – using their feet.

Scientists know that some cancer cells spread, or metastasize, throughout the body the old-fashioned way-by using their feet.

But researchers at Duke Cancer Institute have discovered a way to short-circuit their travels … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Blocking the development of cancer cells’ feet.

How a gene mutation leads to autism

WASHINGTON – Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have developed a mouse model to find how a gene mutation leads to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

They found that when one copy of the SHANK3 gene in mice is missing, nerve cells do not effectively communicate and do not show cellular properties associated with normal learning. … Read more >>>.

Sex addiction is controllable, says expert

WELLINGTON – Sex addiction is controllable, according to an expert, who says her new research could help treat the problem by dealing with the issues causing impulsive sexual behaviour.

“When people say ’sex addict’ they shrug their shoulders and say ‘it’s out of my control’. It is within their control,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Sex Therapy NZ co-director …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sex addiction is controllable, says expert.

First-ever measurement of magnetic field inside Earth’s core

LONDON – A geophysicist has made the first-ever measurement of the strength of the magnetic field inside the Earth’s core, 1,800 miles underground, by using the moon and distant quasars.

Prof Bruce A. Buffett, professor of earth and planetary science at the University of California, Berkeley, used radio observations of the quasars to get precise …. Original source  : First-ever measurement of magnetic field inside Earth’s core.

Microsoft Kinect used for interactive sex game by porn company

WASHINGTON – A porn company has created an interactive sex game using Microsoft’s new Kinect video game console.

A demonstration of the sex game received more than 11,000 hits on YouTube just 15 hours after it was posted.

The controller-free console designed for family fun became a new medium for pornography less than two months after it …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Microsoft Kinect used for interactive sex game by porn company.

Indian GSLV rocket now taller, heavier

CHENNAI – Indias geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV), scheduled to blast off Monday with an advanced communication satellite (GSAT-5P), is now taller by two metres and heavier by four tonnes as compared to its standard configuration.

The Indian Space Research Organisations standard configuration for the GSLV rocket is a height of 49 metres and 414 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indian GSLV rocket now taller, heavier.

New molecular mechanisms involved in Alzheimer’s development identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered new molecular mechanisms that may be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, a collaboration between bioinformaticians and cell biologists, was led by IRB Barcelona group leader and ICREA researcher Patrick Aloy.

This study reveals new molecular and functional data that could help researchers gain a better understanding of the …. Read the original article  : New molecular mechanisms involved in Alzheimer’s development identified.

Google’s new browser can map human body in 3D

LONDON – After its ‘Street View’ programme, Internet search engine Google has developed a new browser that can map out the entire human body.

The hi-tech 3D application, called ‘Google Body Browser’, has been hailed as a breakthrough in the study of anatomy that could revolutionise people’s understanding of the human body and fast-track medical research, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Google’s new browser can map human body in 3D.

Brain spot where fear resides discovered

WASHINGTON – Snakes, spiders, haunted houses and horror movies may frighten most of us, but there is one woman who doesn’t seem to be afraid of them or anything else.

Identified only as ‘SM’, she is the subject of a new study that looked at how a certain part of the brain experiences fear.

Researchers …. Original article  : Brain spot where fear resides discovered.

Watch for total lunar eclipse before dawn Tuesday, Dec. 21

WASHINGTON – Skygazers will be treated to a total lunar eclipse before dawn Tuesday, Dec. 21.

According to the editors of StarDate magazine, as Earth’s long shadow falls across the Moon, the part in the shadow will turn dark. It will look as though a chunk were missing from the Moon.

About 70 minutes later, the …. Source  : Watch for total lunar eclipse before dawn Tuesday, Dec. 21.

World’s first quantum machine takes ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ title

WASHINGTON – The world’s first ‘quantum machine’ has been named as one of the scientific breakthroughs of the year.

Physicists Andrew Cleland and John Martinis from the University of California at Santa Barbara and their colleagues designed the machine-a tiny metal paddle of semiconductor, … Original source on Gaea Times at : World’s first quantum machine takes ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ title.

New genes are as essential for life as ancient ones: Study

WASHINGTON – A study has revealed that new genes that have evolved in species as little as one million years ago can be just as essential for life as ancient genes.

Evolutionary biologists have long proposed that the genes most important to life are ancient and conserved, … Original article on : New genes are as essential for life as ancient ones: Study.

Why humans are more sensitive than chimps to certain viruses

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found why humans are more sensitive to certain viruses compared to other primates.

The greater susceptibility of humans to certain infectious diseases when compared to other primates could be explained by species-specific changes in immune signaling pathways, according to the …. Source  : Why humans are more sensitive than chimps to certain viruses.

Tigers on the prowl: Saving big cats through art

NEW DELHI – Anjolie Ela Menon’s latest art project has a statement to make. A stretched fibre glass tiger with three babies in black and gold, it is part of a public art project that will see installations of tigers at various spots in the capital.

The project, “Artiger – Art for the Tiger”, features [..] Read the original article: here.

Emotional intelligence sharpens as we enter our 60s

WASHINGTON – Psychologists from the University of California, Berkeley have found that older people have a hard time keeping a lid on their feelings, especially when watching heartbreaking or disgusting scenes in movies and reality shows.

However, they’re better than their younger counterparts at seeing the positive side of a stressful situation and empathizing with the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Super-early signs of Alzheimer’s revealed

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that people with a known, high risk for Alzheimer’s disease develop abnormal brain function even before the appearance of telltale amyloid plaques that are characteristic of the disease.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis … Read more : Super-early signs of Alzheimer’s revealed.

Genome code for most common form of pediatric brain cancer cracked

WASHINGTON – The genetic code for medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain cancer and a leading killer of children with cancer, have been decoded by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

The genetic “map” is believed to be the first reported … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Genome code for most common form of pediatric brain cancer cracked.

Going out in the midday sun may be good for you

LONDON – Health experts have suggested that going out in the midday sun without sunscreen is good for you.

Contrary to previous warnings over the dangers of spending time in the sun when it is at its strongest, the latest advice recommends ten to …. Original article  : Going out in the midday sun may be good for you.