Science News – Newsletter for January 15, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Punjab and Haryana have showers, mercury rises
CHANDIGARH – Various parts of Punjab, Haryana and the joint capital city Chandigarh witnessed light to moderate rainfall Saturday morning.
Mercury saw a good rise, giving the people in the region a respite from the freezing conditions that lasted almost a fortnight.
Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius Saturday that was … Read : Punjab and Haryana have showers, mercury rises.
Himachal hills, valleys receive more snow, rains
SHIMLA – The current cold wave continued unabated in the hills of Himachal Pradesh as the higher reaches had another spell of moderate snowfall while the mid and lower hills experienced rain Saturday, the weather office here said.
This state capital reeled under severe cold wave conditions as the minimum temperature was a mere …. Read the original article : Himachal hills, valleys receive more snow, rains.
Female crickets fall for louder songs sung by younger males
LONDON – Female crickets fall for the higher-pitched and louder songs sung by younger males, suggests a study.
The study has challenged a well-established theory that females prefer older males because their longevity shows they have good genes, reports New Scientist.
Luke Verburgt of the University of Pretoria, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Female crickets fall for louder songs sung by younger males.
New findings bring scientists closer to an effective HIV vaccine
WASHINGTON – Scientists have reported findings showing new evidence about broadly-reactive neutralizing antibodies, which block HIV infection.
Leo Stamatatos of the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute said the major stumbling block in the development of an effective vaccine against …. Original article on Gaea Times at : New findings bring scientists closer to an effective HIV vaccine.
Laser technology to help track E. coli
WASHINGTON – Scientists have turned to a simple, automated method of tracking E. coli, which could reduce the incidence of waterborne disease outbreaks.
The technique uses a laser to detect and monitor the microbe in potentially contaminated bodies of water or waterways.
Bin Chen of Purdue University …. Read the original article : Laser technology to help track E. coli.
Measles virus plays key role in Paget’s disease of bone
WASHINGTON – A team of researchers, led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, have found that a gene from the measles virus plays a key role in the development of Paget’s disease of bone.
Their findings confirm a long-held speculation that the childhood infection is an … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Measles virus plays key role in Paget’s disease of bone.
New way to halt lung inflammation in animal models discovered
WASHINGTON – Researchers at University of Colorado School of Medicine seem to have discovered a new way to halt lung inflammation.
In the study, researchers used animal models of ALI (acute lung injury) /ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome) to show that the aggressive inflammatory state of specific immune cells can be switched … Original source on Gaea Times at : New way to halt lung inflammation in animal models discovered.
Ocean circulation changes ‘more dramatic than previously thought’
WASHINGTON – A new study from Cardiff University has revealed that ocean circulation changes this winter may have been more dramatic than previously thought.
The study found that as the last Ice Age came to an end the formation of deep water in the North-East …. Original article : Ocean circulation changes ‘more dramatic than previously thought’.
Scientists find how some plants can survive near-vacuum conditions
LONDON – Scientists at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida have found that some plants can survive in near-vacuum conditions.
Vacuum-like conditions are difficult to survive in because they lack oxygen needed for respiration. Moreover, water, a component of many living things, boils quickly at low pressure, reports New Scientist.
Raymond Wheeler … Read more »»».
Toxic chemicals found in pregnant women: US study
WASHINGTON – A new US study has found that the bodies of almost all pregnant women carry multiple chemicals.
The research, conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, found that the bodies of virtually all US pregnant women carry multiple chemicals, including …. Source : Gaea News Network.
The ‘real’ signs after alteration (Sidebar)
WASHINGTON – Astronomers suggest an overhaul in the process of defining horoscope on the basis of one’s birth date as the earth’s position vis-a-vis the sun and other stars has changed since the astrological signs were determined over 2,000 years ago.
Apart from the existing 12 astrological signs, the experts include a 13th sign Ophiuchus, …. Source article : The ‘real’ signs after alteration (Sidebar).
Interactive window-shopping could soon be a reality
WASHINGTON – Interactive window shopping has been tested only in lab simulations till now, but experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) in Berlin, Germany, are testing the concept with pedestrian passageways and shopping centers.
“Interactive shopping has been … Original article on : Interactive window-shopping could soon be a reality.
Did you know your horoscope signs have changed!
WASHINGTON – Look again, you may be reading somebody else’s horoscope for a preview of your day. The astrological positions determined some 2,000 years ago no longer apply as the stars have shifted in the night sky so much that horoscope signs are nearly a month off.
Astrological signs are determined by the position of … Read : Did you know your horoscope signs have changed!.
Heavy snowfall halts life in Kashmir Valley
SRINAGAR – Heavy snowfall Saturday halted life across the Kashmir Valley as roads were blocked, electricity supply was disrupted and people were forced to remain indoors because of the biting cold.
The strategic Srinagar-Jammu highway, which is the Valley’s only road link with the rest of the country remained closed for the second day due …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Heavy snowfall halts life in Kashmir Valley.
Funky fonts make learning easier: Study
WASHINGTON – Having difficulty learning something? Then try some funky fonts, suggests a new study.
The research has shown that fonts, or styles of typeface, that are relatively difficult to read help people learn new information.
The font effect … Original article on : Funky fonts make learning easier: Study.
34,000-year-old life found trapped in salt crystals
WASHINGTON – Scientists have found 34,000-year-old bacteria trapped inside tiny bubbles of salt crystals that could be the oldest living organisms on Earth, according to a report in the latest edition of GSA Today.
The salt crystals containing the bacteria were found buried in the Death Valley of California.
“It was actually a very big …. Source article on Gaea Times at : 34,000-year-old life found trapped in salt crystals.
Eating blueberries ‘can guard against high BP’
WASHINGTON – A new research by the University of East Anglia and Harvard University has suggested that eating blueberries can guard against high blood pressure.
The new findings revealed that bioactive compounds in blueberries called nthocyanins offer protection against hypertension. … Original article on : Eating blueberries ‘can guard against high BP’.
Sunny morning makes Delhi warmer
NEW DELHI – A sunny morning brought cheer to Delhiites Saturday as the minimum temperature rose considerably after the intense chill the city saw last week.
The minimum temperature recorded Saturday morning was 10 degrees Celsius, almost three notches above average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
An IMD official said the sky could … Read more »».
Eight more die in UP, sunny day in cities
LUCKNOW – It was a warm and bright Friday throughout Uttar Pradesh, but the eight more deaths reported over the past 24 hours were a grim reminder the winter’s impact on the homeless people of the state.
The state disaster management department said two people died in Ballia while one death each was reported from …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Eight more die in UP, sunny day in cities.
Warmer day in the plains, winter woes elsewhere (Intro Roundup)
NEW DELHI – A warm Friday cheered the national capital and its neighbouring cities while snow in the Himalayan towns and heavy fog in Kolkata compuded people’s winter woes.
Eight more people died in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the grimness of the weather impact. The state’s total toll has now hit 125.
Many cities are in … Original article on : Warmer day in the plains, winter woes elsewhere (Intro Roundup).