Science News – Newsletter for January 10, 2011

Laser canons to zap high sea pirates

LONDON – Laser canons mounted on ships and boats could zap pirates trying to board them.

The non-lethal weapon, which has been developed by defence firm BAE Systems, is effective against moving targets more than a mile away.
The company has started developing the laser in response to the growing threat from pirates …. Source  : Laser canons to zap high sea pirates.

‘App’ named 2010 Word of the Year

LONDON – High school English teachers are crying into their textbooks over the American Dialect Societys choice for Word of the Year – ‘App’.

The abbreviated tech slang for a computer or smart phone application beat out another word that would have had language purists tearing their hair out even more.
Nom – a chat, … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘App’ named 2010 Word of the Year.

Conceiving again within a year trebles autism risk

LONDON – Women who conceive within a year after giving birth could be putting their next child at increased risk of autism.

Such babies are three times more likely to have the developmental disorder, says a study.
Researchers say that a woman’s body needs time to recover from a pregnancy and that a baby conceived …. Read the original article  : Conceiving again within a year trebles autism risk.

West Antarctic ice sheet would collapse by year 3000: Study

LONDON – By the dawn of this millennium, the West Antarctic ice sheet is likely to collapse and the global sea level may rise by nearly four meters, suggests a new study.

Researchers have said that the impact of rising CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere will cause unstoppable effects to the climate for at least …. Read the original article  : West Antarctic ice sheet would collapse by year 3000: Study.

Supermassive black hole discovered in dwarf galaxy

WASHINGTON – Astronomers have discovered a supermassive black hole in a small nearby galaxy that may shed light on how black holes and galaxies may have grown in the early history of the Universe.

They said that finding a black hole a million times more massive than the Sun in a star-forming dwarf galaxy is a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Supermassive black hole discovered in dwarf galaxy.

Young fish take cues from noisy neighbors before settling down

WELLINGTON – An international team of marine biologists has discovered that young fish looking for a reef to make a home take help from noisy neighbours.

Researchers from Auckland University and Bristol University in England found juvenile fish listen to the sounds made by other underwater creatures, such as other fish, shrimps and lobsters, before choosing … Read more >>.

Why music gives us goosebumps

LONDON – Scientists have now unraveled the theory behind why people get goosebumps while listening to music.

Canadian researchers has suggested that when we are moved by music our brains behave as if reacting to delicious food, psychoactive drugs or money, reports the Scotsman.

The pleasure experience is driven by the “reward” chemical dopamine, which has been … Original article on : Why music gives us goosebumps.

Secret of Trojan horse viral gene discovered

MELBOURNE – Melbourne researchers have discovered the secret behind the disguise of some viruses that manage to dodge detection by the body’s immune system.

Gabrielle Belz and her colleagues at Parkville’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute worked with researchers from the University of Cambridge to establish the modus operandi of key viral gene K3.

Trojan horse-like, the … Read more »»».

More snow in Himachal; Keylong freezes at minus 15.4 degrees

SHIMLA – The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh Monday experienced another spell of mild snowfall as Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district continued to remain the coldest in the state at minus 15.4 degrees Celsius, the weather office here said.

“Higher reaches in the state saw light snowfall early Monday. Kalpa (a village in Kinnaur …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : More snow in Himachal; Keylong freezes at minus 15.4 degrees.

New gadget sounds death-knell for ominous whine of the dentist’s drill

WASHINGTON – For many, the sound of the dental drill is a big cause of anxiety when it comes to visiting a dentist. But now, they might benefit from a new invention that cancels out the drill’s whine.

Scientists at London universities have developed a gadget that allows patients to hear their favourite music on an …. Original source  : New gadget sounds death-knell for ominous whine of the dentist’s drill.

Dense fog engulfs Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Dense fog enveloped most parts of Punjab, Haryana and the joint capital city Chandigarh Monday. The mercury remained below the normal level in this region.

Air traffic was badly affected as Chandigarh airport remained shut Monday for the sixth consecutive day. No flight has operated from here since Wednesday.
“We have shut our …. Original article  : Dense fog engulfs Punjab, Haryana.

New device promises noiseless dental drill

LONDON – An innovative device, which cancels the noise of the dental drill, could ease anxiety about visits to the dentist.

The sound of the dental drill is known to be the prime cause of anxiety about dental treatmentt.
Developed by experts at King’s College London, Brunel University and London South Bank University, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New device promises noiseless dental drill.

Low cost ‘Poo-Gloos’ can clean sewage effectively

WASHINGTON – Low cost igloo-shaped devices nicknamed ‘Poo-Gloos’ can clean up sewage just as effectively as multimillion-dollar treatment facilities.

Kraig Johnson and his team developed the Poo-Gloo when he worked as a research assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Utah.
The Poo-Gloo provides a large surface area on which …. Source article  : Low cost ‘Poo-Gloos’ can clean sewage effectively.

IAF flies homegrown Tejas fighter jet for operational clearance

BANGALORE – India Monday joined the select club of countries making a fighter jet from scratch when Indian Air Force (IAF) flew for the first time the lightweight indigenous multi-role Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in a clear wintry sky for initial operational clearance (IOC).

Defence Minister A.K. Antony handed over the service certificate of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : IAF flies homegrown Tejas fighter jet for operational clearance.

Cold wave continues in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A day after Delhi recorded the coldest day of the season, chilly winds continued to sweep the capital Monday and the minimum temperature stayed two notches below the normal at 4.7 degrees Celsius.

The skies were, however, relatively clear leading to normal flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
…. Source article  : Cold wave continues in Delhi.

73 Mathura villages join battle against Yamuna pollution

RAJPURA – Animal carcasses are not to be dumped into the river, washermen should not use chemicals to wash dirty clothes, the river bank is not to be used as a toilet and no polythene bags – these are among the measures villagers in Rajpura, in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, have planned as part …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 73 Mathura villages join battle against Yamuna pollution.

UAE to be free of plastic bags by 2013

Dubai, Jan 10 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be free of plastic bags by 2013, the minister of environment has said.

Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, minister of environment and water, was speaking at the 10th edition of the ArabPlast and Tekno/Tube 2011 exhibition at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“The UAE and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UAE to be free of plastic bags by 2013.

13 more die as freezing winter marches on (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Winter continued its relentless onslaught in the north Sunday, claiming 13 more lives in Uttar Pradesh and taking the toll in the state to 82. People shivered as temperatures nose-dived in all major cities.

For Delhi it was the coldest day in five years.
The poor and the homeless in the … Read more : 13 more die as freezing winter marches on (Roundup).

13 more die in UP, winter toll reaches 82

LUCKNOW – The cold wave in Uttar Pradesh claimed 13 more lives Sunday as the temperature dropped to new lows across large parts of the state. The death toll in the state has climbed to 82.

The disaster management department said five people died in Maharajganj along the Indo-Nepal border, four in Barabanki and … Read : 13 more die in UP, winter toll reaches 82.

Delhi shivers on coldest day in five years

NEW DELHI – Delhiites Sunday shivered through the coldest day in five years when the maximum temperature plunged 10 degrees below average and icy winds made it even harsher for the people.

Several flights were delayed at the Delhi airport due to fog. Low visibility procedures (LVP) had to be deployed through Saturday night, according …. Read the original article  : Delhi shivers on coldest day in five years.