Science News – Newsletter for January 8, 2011

New booze vaccine works by ‘giving terrible hangover just after 1 drink’

LONDON – A new vaccine for treating alcoholism gives the sensation of a terrible hangover after just a few drinks, to deter the person from drinking any more.

Chile researchers explained that the vaccine neutralises a group of enzymes called aldehyde dehydrogenase that help the body to break down alcohol.

It would increase nausea, accelerate heartbeat, …. Read the original article  : New booze vaccine works by ‘giving terrible hangover just after 1 drink’.

Srinagar gets slight relief from cold, still freezing in Ladakh

SRINAGAR – Summer capital Srinagar was slightly warmer Saturday at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, still below the freezing mark but Jammu and Kashmir’s cold desert region of Ladakh continued to reel under the intense cold wave.

Due to the nightlong cloud cover, the minimum temperature again rose today (Saturday) in Srinagar from Friday’s minus 2.2 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Srinagar gets slight relief from cold, still freezing in Ladakh.

Strenuous exercise ‘can damage women’s cognitive function’

LONDON – A new study has said that strenuous exercise in women can cause damage to their cognitive skills later in life.

Too much exercise raises the levels of oestrogen in a woman’s body and lead to irregular menstruation cycles, reports New Scientist.

And low levels of oestrogen in premenopausal women has been linked to impaired mental …. Source article  : Strenuous exercise ‘can damage women’s cognitive function’.

Thick fog envelopes Delhi

NEW DELHI – A thick blanket of fog enveloped the capital Saturday, reducing visibility and making it difficult for commuters. Delhiites continued to shiver as the minimum temperature was three notches below normal.

“The thick fog is likely to clear up as the day progresses. But the cold conditions will continue in the coming days, …. Original article  : Thick fog envelopes Delhi.

4 more dead in UP; sunny day brings little relief (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Uttar Pradesh Friday saw the winter chill claiming four more lives even as a comparatively warmer and sunny day brought smiles back to people’s faces in many parts of northern and central India.

However, the harsh cold wave conditions persisted across the region causing traffic problems.
With the latest deaths, the winter …. Original article  : 4 more dead in UP; sunny day brings little relief (Roundup).

Indian, Australian joint team studying penguin evolution

SYDNEY – A joint team of Indian and Australian scientists is studying molecular changes in Adlie, a penguin species commonly found along the entire Antarctic coast, triggered by global warming.

The experts are also looking at the larger issue of whether climate change drives evolution.
Australian team leader David Lambert is collaborating with Siva Swaminathan, …. Read the original article  : Indian, Australian joint team studying penguin evolution.

98th Science Congress ends, 99th in Bhubaneswar

CHENNAI – The five-day 98th Indian Science Congress near here ended Friday. The 99th Congress will be held in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking at the valedictory function, K.C. Pandey, general president of the Indian Science Congress Association, said: “The 98th Congress was the largest with around 10,400 delegates, six Nobel laureates and around 130 scientists from India …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 98th Science Congress ends, 99th in Bhubaneswar.

Four more die in freezing Uttar Pradesh, toll climbs to 63

LUCKNOW – Icy winds continued to lash large parts of India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, where the cold wave claimed four more lives on Friday, taking this winter’s toll to 63.

Brief sunshine pierced through a thick blanket of fog and a cover of clouds to bring a bit of respite from the biting … Read more »»».

Open core areas of wildlife parks to tourists: Khurshid

LUCKNOW – Union Minister for Corporate and Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid Friday expressed the need for opening core areas in wildlife parks to tourists.

Speaking at the ‘Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Convention’, organised by NGO Tiger and Terrain on the noted wildlife enthusiast’s first death anniversary here, Khurshid said that opening of core areas to … Read : Open core areas of wildlife parks to tourists: Khurshid.

Chilly but pleasant day in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Even as the capital city witnessed clear skies on a sunny day, it was yet another chilly day Friday with early morning frost and the maximum temperature staying 5 degrees below average.

The days ahead will remain nippy, the weatherman said.
“The maximum temperature was recorded at 15.6 degrees Celsius and the …. Original article  : Chilly but pleasant day in Delhi.

Haryana minister leads by example, adopts black buck

CHANDIGARH – Haryana Forest Minister Ajay Singh Yadav Friday adopted a black buck under an innovative state government scheme that covers animals and birds in zoos and parks.

Yadav handed over a cheque for Rs.22,500 to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Parvez Ahmed towards the annual cost of feeding the black buck.
The black buck, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Haryana minister leads by example, adopts black buck.

Cold and fog hit life in Rajastan

JAIPUR – Cold wave conditions affected normal life in Rajasthan Friday as the mercury plummeted further in many parts of the state, officials said.

Bikaner was freezing at zero degree, five degrees below the average Thursday night. Even the day temperature Friday could touch only 12.5 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees below average. Pilani was also …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cold and fog hit life in Rajastan.

Nuclear brass allay fears over Jaitapur plant

THANE – India’s nuclear brass and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while pitching for the growth of nuclear power, Friday allayed fears of villagers of Rajapur who are protesting against the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Park in Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

They cited the huge developmental activities witnessed in and around Tarapur, around 100 km …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Humans first covered their nakedness 170,000 years ago

WASHINGTON – A research suggests that humans first covered their nakedness some 170,000 years ago, something which helped them move out of Africa.

Research by David Reed, investigator at Florida University, shows modern humans started wearing clothes about 70,000 years before migrating into colder climates and higher latitudes, which began about 100,000 years ago. [..] Read the original article: here.

Why some cancers become malignant and others don’t

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered why some cancers become malignant and others don’t.

The study, led by Dr. Gerardo Ferbeyre of the University of Montreal’s Department of Biochemistry, found that cancer cells reproduce by dividing in two, but a molecule known as PML limits …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why some cancers become malignant and others don’t.

GM to offer wireless in-car phone charging pads by 2012

MELBOURNE – Charging your cell phone on the go may soon become as easy as taking it for a drive, as General Motors has announced that it has plans to offer wireless charging technology across a number of its vehicles from the second … Read this article on Gaea Times at : GM to offer wireless in-car phone charging pads by 2012.

Secondhand TV exposure equally harmful for kids: Study

WASHINGTON – Just switching off the TV set may not you help keep your kids away from negative influence of the idiot-box, as indirect media exposure, i.e., having friends who watch TV, might be even more damaging for …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Secondhand TV exposure equally harmful for kids: Study.

Remnants of boozy village discovered beneath downtown San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Archeologists have discovered dozens of relics from the 1800s underneath a parking lot in downtown San Francisco.

They have found dozens of vestiges-dolls, a piece of a tent, tableware and “many, many liquor bottles”-that tell stories dating as far …. Original source  : Remnants of boozy village discovered beneath downtown San Francisco.

Bacteria ate up methane from Gulf spill, say scientists

WASHINGTON – Bacteria consumed the methane released from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico within about four months, say scientists.

“It was remarkable. We had gone out there assuming that there would be plenty of methane still there and the fact was that it was … Read more »».

Freshwater methane emission changes greenhouse gas equation

WASHINGTON – Greenhouse gas uptake by continents is less than previously thought because of methane emissions from freshwater areas, to newly released data by an international team of scientists.

John Downing of the Iowa State University concluded that methane release from inland waters is higher than previous estimates.

The study has …. Original source  : Freshwater methane emission changes greenhouse gas equation.