Science News – Newsletter for January 9, 2011

An escalator to space – not very far away

CHENNAI – The day may not be far away when an elevator attendant asks your preferred destination – low earth orbit (LEO) or geostationary orbit (GSO). Research is fast progressing in advanced countries on designing a space elevator, according to an Indian space expert.

“Space scientists and engineers are looking at the possibility of designing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : An escalator to space – not very far away.

France transferring submarine technology to India

NEW DELHI – India should be able to produce more than one sophisticated submarine every year, thanks to the transfer of high technology from the French leader in naval defence systems.

According to Patrick Boissier, chairman and CEO of DCNS, which is executing India’s biggest submarine building programme for six diesel-electric Scorpene submarines, said that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : France transferring submarine technology to India.

New technology won’t let your car start if you are too drunk!

WASHINGTON – Researchers are developing sensory devices to be installed in cars that would keep them from starting if the drivers have had too many drinks.

The new technology would require a passive set of sensors …. Read the original article  : New technology won’t let your car start if you are too drunk!.

Omega-3 fatty acids could help prevent traumatic brain injury

WASHINGTON – Taking the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (DHA) might offer a new way of protecting against traumatic brain injury (TBI), suggest animal experiments.

Although only preliminary, the results raise the “intriguing” possibility of preventive treatment with DHA in groups …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Omega-3 fatty acids could help prevent traumatic brain injury.

New way to screen breast cancer cells’ ability to metastasize

WASHINGTON – Using specific silicon microdevices might provide a new way to screen breast cancer cells’ ability to metastasize, says a new research.ell cytoskeleton refers to the cell’s shape and its mechanical properties, Virginia Tech researcher Masoud Agah explained.

“Any change in the cytoskeletal structure … Original article on : New way to screen breast cancer cells’ ability to metastasize.

Ants wise enough to quit when their teeth wear out

LONDON – Ants have a well-deserved reputation for strength, organisation and teamwork. But a key to their success is the ability to identify the importance of age in the work place.

A study of Central American leaf-cutter ants has shown that the younger and more vigorous members of the colony are given the toughest job … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ants wise enough to quit when their teeth wear out.

Iron-rich whale poo makes ocean more productive

MELBOURNE – A new study has revealed that iron-rich whale faeces make the oceans more productive.cientists from the Australian Antarctic Division, based in Hobart, have been testing the hypothesis that enormous amounts of iron excreted by whales are similar to liquid manure, reports the Age.

This fertiliser helps phytoplankton grow, which in turn helps support a …. Source  : Iron-rich whale poo makes ocean more productive.

Facebook sparks row after deleting breastfeeding support group page

LONDON – Social networking giant Facebook has stirred up a new controversy with nursing mothers after deleting a page, dedicated to breastfeeding and followed by thousands, over the weekend for violating the terms of service.

The page has an online support group where mothers can swap tips and which provides an emotional crutch for anyone … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Facebook sparks row after deleting breastfeeding support group page.

An electric car that beats traffic congestion and parks itself!

LONDON – Tired of traffic jams and lack of parking spaces? Well, there is good news for you, as scientists have designed an electric car that beats traffic congestion and parks itself.

The two-seat EN-V (Electric-Networked Vehicle) has been created to ease the common driver concerns as well as address environmental issues, energy consumption and affordability, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : An electric car that beats traffic congestion and parks itself!.

Manali gets another spell of snow

SHIMLA – The picturesque towns of Manali and Kalpa in Himachal Pradesh saw another spell of snow Sunday, bringing the temperature down by several notches, the weather office here said.

Manali in Kullu district and Kalpa in Kinnaur district saw 5 cm and 2 cm of snow respectively. These towns saw good spells of snow … Read more >>>.

Dust in Earth’s atmosphere has doubled since the beginning of 20th century

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that the amount of dust in the Earth’s atmosphere has doubled since the beginning of the 20th century and the dramatic increase is influencing climate and ecology around the world.

It’s the first study to trace the fluctuation of a natural (not human-caused) aerosol around the globe over the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dust in Earth’s atmosphere has doubled since the beginning of 20th century.

Nails, hair indicate booze intake over last 90 days

WASHINGTON – United States Drug Testing Laboratories (USDTL) has launched two new tests – one for fingernails and the other for hair – which can report a donor’s alcohol exposure for the past 90 days reliably.

The NailStat and HairStat EtG tests measure ethyl glucuronide (EtG) – a minor product of alcohol metabolism.

“For the first time, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Celeb whose tweets influenced news stories in 2010

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that tweets from celebrities like Conan O’Brian, sometimes beat out news organizations and reigned as Twitter’s top influencers on big news stories.

“The New York Times was the top influencer on the Gulf oil spill, which was the top topic of the year,” said Alok Choudhary at Northwestern’s McCormick …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Celeb whose tweets influenced news stories in 2010.

A fat tummy shrinks your brain

LONDON – A new study by researchers in the US has revealed that having a larger waistline could shrivel your brain.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to cognitive impairment, says Antonio Convit at the New York University School of Medicine.

Convit wanted to see what impact obesity had … Original article on : A fat tummy shrinks your brain.

Snowfall in north Kashmir, Ladakh continues to freeze

SRINAGAR – There was light snowfall in some areas of north Kashmir Sunday as the cold wave marginally abated in the valley, but the freeze continued in the Ladakh region with Leh at a biting minus 13 degrees Celsius.

The ski resort of Gulmarg, Kupwara, Handwara and a few other places saw light snowfall in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Snowfall in north Kashmir, Ladakh continues to freeze.

Another man killed by tiger in Uttar Pradesh

BAHRAICH – In the second incident in three days, a tiger has killed a man near the Katarniaghat forest reserve in this Uttar Pradesh district, an official said Saturday, adding it was not known yet if it was the same animal.

The body of the victim identified as Jagmal was recovered Saturday from the fields …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Another man killed by tiger in Uttar Pradesh.

No reprieve from cold and fog; 6 more die in UP (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Severe cold and fog Saturday continued to haunt the people in north and central India, claiming six more lives in Uttar Pradesh.

With the latest deaths, the toll in Uttar Pradesh has hit 69. Officials Saturday reported three fatalities from Shahjahanpur, two from Bareilly and one from Basti.
Most of those who … Original source on Gaea Times at : No reprieve from cold and fog; 6 more die in UP (Roundup).

Snow closes Srinagar-Jammu national highway

SRINAGAR – The strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for traffic Saturday evening due to fresh snowfall in the Jawahar tunnel area of the highway.

“Traffic would only be restored Sunday after snow-clearance. No passenger vehicle are stranded on the highway,” G.M. Wadoo, Superintendent of Police (traffic), Rural Kashmir, told IANS.
He advised travellers …. Read the original article  : Snow closes Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

Cold, foggy day in Delhi, more to follow

NEW DELHI – Thick fog covered Delhi Saturday and, with a chilly wind blowing, the maximum temperature nose-dived nine degrees below average to 12.4 degrees Celsius, the weather office here said.

The met office has predicted heavy fog to shroud the city in the days ahead.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 12.4 degrees while …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cold, foggy day in Delhi, more to follow.

Cold forces Orissa schools to suspend morning classes

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government Saturday asked all schools to suspend morning classes because of the intense cold wave conditions prevailing across the state.

“We have instructed all schools not to hold morning classes until further orders,” Aparajita Sarangi, secretary of the school and mass education department, told IANS Saturday.
The cold wave continued to … Original article on : Cold forces Orissa schools to suspend morning classes.