Science News – Newsletter for December 30, 2010

China’s online population rises to 450 mn

BEIJING – The number of Chinese netizens rose to 450 million by the end of November, up 20.3 percent year on year, an official said Thursday.

Wang Chen, head of China’s State Council Information Office, said at a press conference here that around 33.9 percent of the Chinese population has gone online, a ratio above …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : China’s online population rises to 450 mn.

Protein involved in cystic fibrosis linked to chronic lung diseases

WASHINGTON – A research team at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center has found that a protein involved in cystic fibrosis (CF) also regulates inflammation and cell death in emphysema and may be responsible for other chronic lung diseases.

The findings pave the way toward new treatments to prevent lung damage caused by infections or cigarette smoke …. Source article  : Protein involved in cystic fibrosis linked to chronic lung diseases.

General anesthesia ‘puts brain into a state of reversible coma, not sleep’

LONDON – Three neuroscientists have claimed that the brain under general anesthesia isn’t “asleep” as surgery patients are often told – it is placed into a state that is a reversible coma.

This insight and others reported in their review article could eventually lead to new approaches to general anesthesia and improved diagnosis and treatment for … Original source on Gaea Times at : General anesthesia ‘puts brain into a state of reversible coma, not sleep’.

It’s cold and drizzling in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A cold and dank Delhi saw light drizzle in the morning hours Thursday but the minimum temperature recorded was much above the average because of the cloud cover. The Met department has forecast more rains during the day.

The minimum temperature at 11.8 degrees Celsius was five degrees above what … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : It’s cold and drizzling in Delhi.

There should be zero tolerance for digital bullying: Expert

WASHINGTON – A Norwegian researcher suggests that digital bullying, on the rise among young people around the world, needs to be combated.

Tove Flack, a research fellow at the University of Stavanger in Norway, says surveys indicate that two out of three children experienced bullying via the Internet or mobile phones on a regular basis, while … Read more »»».

Study that could help you grow a better green roof garden

WASHINGTON – Researchers from the Department of Horticulture at The Pennsylvania State University have evaluated the influence of substrate type and depth on establishment of five common green roof plants.

Plants suitable for extensive green roofs must tolerate extreme rooftop conditions, and the substrates in which they grow must meet both horticultural and structural requirements.

Christine E. … Original article on : Study that could help you grow a better green roof garden.

‘Facebook feature’ in brain vital to your social life

LONDON – A tiny structure in the human brain that scientists have dubbed ‘Facebook feature’ may determine a rich and varied social life among humans.

Scientists at the Northeastern University have found that amygdala, a small almond shaped structure deep within the temporal lobe, can indicate the complexity of social network amongst humans.

“We know that primates …. Source  : ‘Facebook feature’ in brain vital to your social life.

Taj city hopes for cleaner, greener 2011

AGRA – The city of the Taj can look forward to a whole lot of new developments in 2011, from banning of polythene bags, a much-needed war on encroachments around historical monuments, streamlining traffic and completion of the vital Yamuna Expressway.

The once Mughal capital seems headed to transforming into a modern metropolis.
The most … Read more : Taj city hopes for cleaner, greener 2011.

Season’s first snow in Kashmir brings respite

SRINAGAR – The season’s first snowfall in Kashmir Thursday brought some relief from the intense cold in the valley.

“Till 7 a.m., south Kashmir’s Shopian town, Gulmarg ski resort and Sonamarg hill station had recorded a snow depth of one foot while in Pahalgam six to seven inches of snow were recorded on the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Season’s first snow in Kashmir brings respite.

Snowfall closes Srinagar-Jammu highway

SRINAGAR – The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for traffic Thursday due to heavy snowfall in the Bannihal area of the highway.

“About two feet of snow accumulated on the road during the night. It is snowing in the Qazigund-Bannihal sector of the highway.
“The highway has been closed for the traffic and road clearance … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Snowfall closes Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Jairam complains MPs pushing for projects

NEW DELHI – Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has complained to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar about MPs pushing for some projects, citing it as a serious issue of ethics.

Ramesh in his letter to Kumar earlier this week said that MPs approach him with matters of companies they are directly involved with, companies in other …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

No new projects in high erosion coastal zones: Ramesh

NEW DELHI – No new infrastructure projects will be allowed in the high erosion coastal zone in the country, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday.

Ramesh said that the coastline is undergoing changes due to various anthropogenic and natural interventions.
“No new construction will be allowed in the high erosion coastal zone …. Read the original article  : No new projects in high erosion coastal zones: Ramesh.

Beauty contest for goats begins in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH – A beauty competition for goats began Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, as part of an auction bringing together traders and herders in the holy Muslim city of Mecca.

Auction supervisor Fawzi al-Subhi said that over 170 animals are competing for the coveted title “most beautiful goat”. He expects the winner to be sold for …. Read the original article  : Beauty contest for goats begins in Saudi Arabia.

China launches N-plant simulator

BEIJING – China has put into operation its first home-built simulator of a nuclear power plant in the country’s southeastern Fujian province, a media report said.

The simulator was put into operation at the under-construction Ningde nuclear power station Tuesday, ending China’s long-time reliance on foreign procurement and imported equipment, People’s Daily reported.
… Read more >>.

Tiger census by February: Ramesh

NEW DELHI – The results of the tiger census now under way will be released by February 2011, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday.

“We can expect the tiger census results by February, and it is for the first time that Sunderbans (in West Bengal) has been included in the census,” Ramesh told …. Read the original article  : here.

Hills near Shimla get season’s first snowfall

SHIMLA – The hills near Shimla experienced the season’s first snowfall Wednesday, making them even more picturesque, while many popular hill station saw intermittent rain.

“The Kufri hill slopes near Shimla and Narkanda received mild snowfall Wednesday evening,” Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office here, told IANS.
He said the higher hills in Lahaul … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Hills near Shimla get season’s first snowfall.

Two Russian space officials sacked over satellite loss

Moscow, Dec 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Wednesday dismissed two senior space industry officials and reprimanded the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos over the loss of three satellites.

The Glonass satellites were lost Dec 5 when a Proton-M carrier rocket veered off course and crashed in the Pacific Ocean. The rocket was … Original article on : Two Russian space officials sacked over satellite loss.

Partial solar eclipse Jan 4

NEW DELHI – A partial solar eclipse will occur Jan 4, 2011. This will be the first of the six eclipses – four solar and two lunar – that people around the globe will see in the new year.

The eclipse will be visible over most parts of Europe, the Arabian peninsula, North Africa …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Partial solar eclipse Jan 4.

Study on ancient Tel Aviv fortress sheds light on its past

WASHINGTON – A new research on an ancient fortress in the heart of Tel Aviv, Israel, is offering new insights into its past.

The fortress, Tel Qudadi, was first excavated 70 years ago, but the results of the investigations were never published before.

Now, the findings by the archaeologists at Tel …. Source  : Study on ancient Tel Aviv fortress sheds light on its past.

Criminal behaviour could be ‘all in the genes’

LONDON – Is a life of crime hereditary? Apparently, it is, says a new research carried out in the US.

The study of young men and women who had been adopted as children found they were up to four and a half more times to have been in trouble with the police if … Read more »»».