Science News – Newsletter for January 11, 2011

Atmosphere still has self-cleansing capacity

WASHINGTON – There’s cheering news on the environmental front — the atmosphere still has its self-cleansing capacity.

Some studies had suggested that such self-cleansing power is fragile and sensitive to environmental changes. But a latest international study shows the air’s self-cleansing capacity is rather stable, the journal Science reports.
New analysis shows that global levels … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Atmosphere still has self-cleansing capacity.

Synthetic blood gets closer to reality

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed particles that closely mirror some of the key properties of red blood cells, potentially helping pave the way for the development of synthetic blood.

The new discovery could also lead to more effective treatments for life threatening medical conditions such as cancer.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers used technology … Original article on : Synthetic blood gets closer to reality.

Poverty can suppress kids’ genetic potentials: Study

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that poverty may influence how children achieve their genetic potential.

Using 750 sets of twins as subjects, psychologists at the University of Texas found that growing up poor can suppress a child’s genetic potential to excel cognitively even before the age of two.

They also explained that 50 percent …. Source article  : Poverty can suppress kids’ genetic potentials: Study.

Melting glaciers to contribute 12cm to world sea-level increases by 2100

LONDON – A new study has found that melt off from small mountain glaciers and ice caps will contribute about 12 centimetres to world sea-level increases by 2100.

Scientists from the University of British Columbia said the largest contributors to the projected world sea level increase are glaciers in Arctic Canada, Alaska and landmass bound glaciers …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New version of Google that solves Sudoku!

LONDON – A newer version of Google can now solve the math puzzle Sudoku – no matter how difficult it is.

A newly updated mobile phone application, called Google Goggles, uses a phone’s camera to capture a picture of any Sudoku puzzle and then sends it back to Google.

The servers at Google compute the answer and …. Read the original article  : New version of Google that solves Sudoku!.

70 million years old flying reptile identified on B.C. coast

WASHINGTON – After months of pondering the origin of a fossilized jawbone, a University of Alberta researcher has identified it as a new species of pterosaur-a flying reptile that lived 70 million years ago.

Victoria Arbour said the first clue to the fossil’s identity came after it was compared to a known species of pterosaurs.

“The teeth …. Read the original article  : 70 million years old flying reptile identified on B.C. coast.

How Alzheimer’s plaques lead to loss of nitric oxide in brain

WASHINGTON – The deadly plaques of Alzheimer’s disease interact with certain cellular proteins to inhibit normal signals that maintain blood flow to the brain, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has discovered.

Levels of nitric oxide (NO) – a signaling molecule that helps regulate blood flow, immune and neurological processes – are …. Original article  : How Alzheimer’s plaques lead to loss of nitric oxide in brain.

Abstinence, binge drinking linked to increased risk of cognitive impairment

WASHINGTON – A new study has associated abstinence and binge drinking to increased risk of cognitive impairment.

The study, conducted at the University of Turku, University of Helsinki and National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland, shows that midlife alcohol consumption is related to the risk of dementia assessed some 20 years later.

The study … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Abstinence, binge drinking linked to increased risk of cognitive impairment.

Free app ‘Park Patrol’ alerts drivers of lurking parking officers

SYDNEY – A new application called ParkPatrol helps you dodge parking officers lurking near your parked car.

Available on iPhone, BlackBerry and Android platforms, the app sends you an alert the minute it senses parking officers within 200 metres of your car.

You can also use the parking timer to remind yourself when it’s time to madly …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Free app ‘Park Patrol’ alerts drivers of lurking parking officers.

X-rated worm tapes reveal how sex shapes sperm

LONDON – A series of ’sex videos’ of worms have revealed how sex shapes sperm, according to evolutionary biologists Lukas Scharer and his wife Dita Vizoso at the University of Basel in Switzerland.

The worms are simultaneous hermaphrodites: each has both male and female genitalia.

“In the lab they mate like crazy. Once, we saw a pair … Read more »».

H1N1 pandemic flu strain ‘key to universal vaccine’

WASHINGTON – Scientists from Emory University School of Medicine and the University of Chicago have found that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu strain could be the key to a universal vaccine.

“Our data shows that infection with the 2009 pandemic influenza strain could induce broadly protective antibodies that are only rarely seen after seasonal flu infections …. Source  : H1N1 pandemic flu strain ‘key to universal vaccine’.

Now, a glass stronger than steel

WASHINGTON – A new type of glass, stronger and tougher than steel, has been developed and tested by a team of US researchers.

What’s more, even better versions of this new glass – a micro-alloy featuring palladium – may be on the way, the journal Nature Materials reports.
These results mark the first … Read : Now, a glass stronger than steel.

Statue fragments of King Tut’s grandparents unearthed

WASHINGTON – Egyptian archaeologists have discovered six missing pieces from a 3,400-year-old colossal double statue of King Tut’s grandparents.

The sculpture fragments of King Amenhotep III and his wife Queen Tiye were found at the pharaoh’s temple in Luxor during work to lower the ground water on the west bank of the Nile, reports Discovery News.

Currently … Read : Statue fragments of King Tut’s grandparents unearthed.

With this shirt, you don’t have to ’sweat it’ anymore!

SYDNEY – A new kind of shirt could give you freedom from the embarrassment of sweat patches.

The promoters of FreshMax, the ‘no sweat shirt’, could be the perfect garment for those who wish to sprint to work, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

FreshMax claims that even if you sweat buckets, your shirt won’t show it. It …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Macho-looking’ men more attractive to fertile women

WASHINGTON – A new study claims that men who look masculine are more attractive to fertile women.

But women with masculine-looking partners do not necessarily become more attracted to their partners, said the study from University of Colorado at Boulder.

A “masculine face” has a relatively pronounced chin, strong jaw, narrow eyes and well-defined brow, like George …. Source  : ‘Macho-looking’ men more attractive to fertile women.

More snowfall expected in Himachal

SHIMLA – The hills of Himachal Pradesh might experience more rain and snowfall in the next three days, a weather official said here Tuesday.

“There are chances of more rainfall and snowfall in the state from Jan 12 to 14,” Meteorological Office Director Manmohan Singh told IANS.
He said the western disturbances – storm systems …. Read the original article  : More snowfall expected in Himachal.

Chandigarh welcomes bright sun, chill remains

CHANDIGARH – After nearly 10 days of foggy and overcast conditions, residents of Chandigarh and neighbouring towns woke up to a sunny morning Tuesday. However, there was no respite from the cold as mercury remained below average.

Till 8 a.m., there was light to moderate fog in most parts of Punjab and Haryana and it …. Read the original article  : here.

Rainwater harvesting works wonders for Sukhna Lake

CHANDIGARH – With over 190 water bodies and an equal number of silt detention dams in the Sukhna wildlife sanctuary, Chandigarh has been running one of the biggest soil conservation and rainwater harvesting projects for two decades. And the benefits have been made crystal clear in a new study.

The study conducted by a city-based … Original article on : Rainwater harvesting works wonders for Sukhna Lake.

Bright but cold morning for Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi continued to shiver even as a shallow fog gave way to a bright and clear sky Tuesday morning.

Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport remained normal but some trains were running late.
The minimum temperature recorded early Tuesday was two notches below the average at 4.6 degrees … Original article on : Bright but cold morning for Delhi.

Himachal hosts world’s tallest flying bird

UNA – Green activists worried over the falling numbers of the Sarus crane, the tallest flying bird in the world, heaved a collective sigh of relief after they were spotted in agricultural fields near this Himachal Pradesh town.

Bird enthusiasts are excited after their regular sightings in marshy and agricultural fields along the Swan river, …. Original article  : Himachal hosts world’s tallest flying bird.