Science News – Weekly Newsletter for January 10-17, 2011
Monday, January 17, 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.
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.
Thunderstorms blast antimatter clouds into space
LONDON – It was once the preserve of Star Trek and other sci-fi TV shows. But thunderstorms actually blast antimatter clouds into space from earth, scientists monitoring them through telescopes found.
The phenomenon is produced by a reaction inside thunderstorms when circling the planet.
Spotted above thunderstorms around the world, the blasts were monitored by …. Original article : Thunderstorms blast antimatter clouds into space.
Now, Google to transcend language barriers
WASHINGTON – Google’s prototype language translator, Conversation Mode now lets you communicate with locals in any part of the world.
The translator uses Android phones to record spoken words and then play them back in a different language.
It combines [..] Read the original article: here.
Life expectancy for ‘early modern and late archaic humans was same’
WASHINGTON – A new study from Washington University in St. Louis has found that the life expectancy was probably the same for early modern and late archaic humans.
Erik Trinkaus examined the fossil records of both and found that the proportions of 20 to 40-year-old adults versus adults older than 40, … Read more >>.
New study finds a possible off-switch for anxiety
WASHINGTON – Singapore scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how anxiety is regulated in the vertebrate brain.
The new findings have shed light on how the brain normally shuts off anxiety and also establishes the relevance of zebrafish as a model for human psychiatric disorders.
The team of scientists, led by Suresh Jesuthasan from the Agency …. Read the original article : New study finds a possible off-switch for anxiety.
How chlamydia can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that women who have had chlamydia are at greater risk of an ectopic pregnancy because of a lasting effect of the infection.
The research provides evidence for the first time of how chlamydia can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
University researchers found that women who had had the … Original article on : How chlamydia can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
New findings may lead to a novel treatment for obesity
WASHINGTON – Scientists have added a new twist to the body of evidence suggesting human obesity is due in part to genetic factors.
While studying hormone receptors in laboratory mice, researchers at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Florida and Washington University School of Medicine identified a new molecular player responsible for the regulation of appetite and metabolism.
The …. Source article : New findings may lead to a novel treatment for obesity.
Eating plenty of vegetables is key to a glowing skin
LONDON – Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best way to have a healthy, glowing skin.
Ian Stephen from the University of Bristol, who led the research, said: “Most people in the West think that the best way to improve skin colour is to get a suntan.”
“But our research shows that eating …. Source article : Eating plenty of vegetables is key to a glowing skin.
Why guys look tough and girls tender
WASHINGTON – There might be some truth in the popular perception that guys are tough and girls tender.
People are more likely to judge a gender-neutral face as masculine if it conveys a hard impression and as feminine if it is soft, the journal Psychological Science reported.
Michael Slepian, a graduate student at … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why guys look tough and girls tender.
World Bank to help save Ganga dolphins
PATNA – The World Bank will help in conserving the endangered Ganga river dolphins, popularly known as the Gangetic dolphin, the bank’s president Robert B. Zoellick said here Wednesday.
“World Bank will help and cooperate the initiatives taken by the government of India for conservation and protection of the Ganges river dolphins,” Zoellick said … Read more >>>.
Expert chess players use twice the brain: Study
LONDON – A new study has revealed that expert chess players engage both sides of their brains when plotting their next move.
To evaluate the brain activity in players of differing ability, Merim Bilalic at the University of Tubingen in Germany studied the brains of eight international chess players and eight amateurs.
Using functional magnetic resonance … Read more »»».
Eating fruits and vegetables gives you a healthy tan
LONDON – Eating a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables gives you a more healthy golden glow than the sun, say scientists.
Their research has shown that men and women whose skin has a yellow glow are thought to be particularly attractive and healthy – and yellow pigments called carotenoids, found in certain fruit and …. Original article : Eating fruits and vegetables gives you a healthy tan.
Hair loss drug may result in loss of libido in men
WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that 5a-reductase inhibitors (5a-RIs), while improving urinary symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and possible hair loss prevention, produces significant adverse effects in some individuals including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction and potential depression.
These findings suggest that extreme caution should be exercised prior to … Read more »».
Solar car sets speed record
SYDNEY – A solar car designed by Australian students achieved top speed of 88 kmph – the fastest in its category.
Designed and built by students of the University of New South Wales, the car smashed the world solar car speed record of 79 kmph at the HMAS Albatross navy base airstrip in Nowra, Australia.
…. Original article : Solar car sets speed record.
Slight respite from chill in Kashmir, snowfall likely
SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital, battling with an extreme winter chill, got some relief as the overcast night skies brought down the minimum temperature slightly Wednesday morning. Moderate to heavy snowfall is likely in the valley.
“The minimum temperature was minus 0.5 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today which is one degree below normal … Read more >>>.
Fog returns in Chandigarh, mercury below normal
CHANDIGARH – After a day of bright sunshine, Chandigarh and its surrounding areas were again surrounded by thick fog Wednesday morning that disrupted road traffic.
Freezing cold and harsh weather conditions continued to make things difficult for residents with a minimum temperature of 3.7 degrees Celsius. The mercury remained below normal in almost all parts …. Source : Fog returns in Chandigarh, mercury below normal.
Potential therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis identified
WASHINGTON – Canadian scientists have identified a potential therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Multiple sclerosis is a disease caused by damage to myelin – the protective covering wrapped around the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS).
Using a mouse model, researchers at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary have discovered that a …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Shingles vaccine cuts risk by 55 pc: Study
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that receiving the herpes zoster vaccine is associated with a 55 percent reduced risk of developing shingles, a painful, lingering disease.
The Kaiser Permanente researchers observed the outcomes of the effectiveness of the herpes zoster vaccine in a large, diverse population of men and women ages 60 years and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Shingles vaccine cuts risk by 55 pc: Study.
Elephants demolish a dozen houses in Chhattisgarh village
RAIPUR – In the second such incident within a fortnight, a herd of nine wild jumbos demolished 12 houses in a village in Surguja district, forcing 50 residents to flee in panic, officials said Wednesday.
“Wild elephants sneaked into Damali village Tuesday night and brought down 12 mud-built houses,” Ramchandra Barai, a local forest official, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Elephants demolish a dozen houses in Chhattisgarh village.
US can overcome India, China challenge: US scholar
WASHINGTON – The emergence of India and China does not mean the end of American economic and technological power, says a new book suggesting the United States should now leverage its many advantages.
Author Adam Segal, Senior Fellow at Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a Washington think tank, analyses Asia’s technological rise in the context …. Source article on Gaea Times at : US can overcome India, China challenge: US scholar.
Big babies ‘may have helped define the shape of modern human societies’
LONDON – Large babies shaped the development of modern human societies, according to a new study.
The research revealed that human babies weigh proportionately more at birth than the newborns of any other primate species and this may have influenced the development of our society.
A baby ape weighs an average of 3 per cent of what …. Source article : Big babies ‘may have helped define the shape of modern human societies’.
World’s fastest ‘molecular movie’ recorded
LONDON – Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fur Materialien und Energie (HZB) and the Technische Uni-versitat Berlin (TUB) have successfully come one step closer to recording a ‘molecular movie.’
Molecular level process are not just miniscule, they are often extremely fast, and therefore difficult to capture in action.
But …. Source article on Gaea Times at : World’s fastest ‘molecular movie’ recorded.
1 ounce of new ‘frozen smoke’ can carpet 3 football fields!
WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a new, ultra-light form of “frozen smoke” – renowned as the world’s lightest solid material – one ounce of which can carpet three football fields, they claim.
Called multiwalled carbon nanotube (MCNT) aerogel, the substance can be used …. Read the original article : 1 ounce of new ‘frozen smoke’ can carpet 3 football fields!.
Soon, a Pied Piper’s flute deadly for rats but harmless for humans, plants
WASHINGTON – Scientists are on a mission to create a life-like version of the Pied Piper that will specifically target rodents but pose no harm to other animals, people or plants.
According to C and EN Associate Editor Jyllian Kemsley, rats not only … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soon, a Pied Piper’s flute deadly for rats but harmless for humans, plants.
Scientists dissect anatomy of conflict in love
WASHINGTON – Some of the most intense or volatile emotions felt by people occur during a conflict in romantic relationships.
A research turns the spotlight on how a person perceives his or her partner’s emotion during a conflict that greatly influences different types of thoughts, feelings and reactions in themselves, the journal Personal Relationships … Original article on : Scientists dissect anatomy of conflict in love.
Your sense of smell could foretell death
LONDON – Losing your sense of smell at an old age could mean that your days are already numbered, a study suggests.
Scientists from Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago in the US found that the more daily smells one could identify, the more likely he was to stay alive longer.
The team gave more … Read more »».
Facebook’s Amber Alerts to help locate missing children
WASHINGTON – Facebook is teaming up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to launch a new system called Amber alerts to issue bulletins about child abductions.
Each state has its own Facebook Amber Alert page, and users who become a …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Another leopard becomes victim of human fury
BHUBANESWAR – In yet another incident of human fury against animals, angry villagers Thursday beat a leopard to death with wooden sticks and cricket bats on the outskirts of this Orissa capital after it injured two people, an official said.
The leopard, which was believed to have sneaked into the area near Gandarpur village from …. Original source : Another leopard becomes victim of human fury.
Courtship affects gene expression in flies
WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that courtship behaviors may be far more influenced by genes than previously thought.
Scientists from Texas made an important step toward understanding human mating behavior by showing that certain genes become activated in fruit flies when they interact with the opposite sex.
This research has shown has also shed light …. Source article : Courtship affects gene expression in flies.
New tests support effectiveness of Chinese drug for cataracts
WASHINGTON – A widely used non-prescription drug in China and certain other countries can prevent and treat cataracts, scientists have reported.
In the study, Tzu-Hua Wu, Fu-Yung Huang, Shih-Hsiung Wu and colleagues note that eye drops containing pirenoxine, or PRX, have been reputed as a cataract remedy for almost 60 years.
Currently, the only treatment for cataracts …. Source article on Gaea Times at : New tests support effectiveness of Chinese drug for cataracts.
Nerve stimulation may thwart tinnitus: Study
LONDON – A new study found that researchers were able to eliminate tinnitus in a group of rats by stimulating a nerve in the neck while simultaneously playing a variety of sound tones over an extended period of time.
This new therapy was found to help retrain the part of the brain that interprets sound so …. Source article : Nerve stimulation may thwart tinnitus: Study.
Indian youngsters lag behind in mobile Internet use
LONDON – Indian youngsters are less tech-savvy as compared to their global counterparts, if the recent research by Nielsen is anything to go by.
The study on youth and cellphone usage published on January 11 states that less than 10 percent of Indian youth used their mobile devices to access the Internet last month, while 73 … Read more : Indian youngsters lag behind in mobile Internet use.
Rolled out cigarettes more addictive, shows study
WELLINGTON – Smokers who prefer roll-your-own tobacco may be more intensely addicted to the habit than those who puff on readymade cigarettes.
Doctoral graduate Amy Lewis at the Victoria University in New Zealand investigated how tobacco smoke influences proteins involved in cigarette addiction.
These include monoamine oxidase enzymes or MAOs that break down brain [..] Read the original article: here.
Does courtship bring genes into play?
WASHINGTON – Being around the opposite sex activates genes to perform certain courtship rituals, says a new study.
Scientists have edged closer to understanding our mating behaviour by studying how genes interact in fruit flies during such interactions.
This research by Texas A&M University shows that courtship behaviours may be far more influenced by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Does courtship bring genes into play?.
Coming soon: Camera that ’sees the invisible’
WASHINGTON – Chemists from the University of South Carolina are reportedly developing a camera that has the ability to see the invisible – be it bloodstains or any other substances.
Called multimode imaging in the thermal infrared, they claim the new technology could help in crime scene investigations.
Michael Myrick, Stephen Morgan and their graduate student colleagues … Read more : Coming soon: Camera that ’sees the invisible’.
For some, music gives the same high as sex
LONDON – A new study from the McGill University has revealed that listening to music is just as pleasurable as food, drugs and sex.
Listening to music releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain important for more tangible pleasures associated with sex or great food.
The study found that dopamine release in response to music elicited … Read : For some, music gives the same high as sex.
New study explains ‘yo-yo effect’ of slimming diets
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the hormones related to appetite play an important role in the likelihood of regaining weight after dieting.
The study found that people with the highest levels of leptin and lowest levels of ghrelin are more likely to put on pounds again after dieting.
This is called the ‘yo-yo’ effect, … Read more »»».
Emotional stress can change brain function
WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that a single exposure to acute stress affected information processing in the cerebellum – the area of the brain responsible for motor control and movement coordination and also involved in learning and memory formation.
The study was conducted by Iaroslav Savtchouk, a graduate student, and S. June Liu, Associate Professor … Original source on Gaea Times at : Emotional stress can change brain function.
Feeding 9 billion people predicted for 2050 will be possible: Report
LONDON – A new report suggests that the world will be able to feed the predicted 2050 population of nine billion people.
In the joint report, two French agricultural research organizations lay out findings gleaned from 2006 to 2008 that could overturn some current assumptions about the state of global farming.
Agricultural productivity in Africa doubled between …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Srinagar minimum temperature rises, snowfall likely in valley
SRINAGAR – The minimum temperature in summer capital Srinagar was four degrees above normal and in winter capital Jammu it was three degrees below normal Thursday as the weather office forecast moderate to heavy snowfall across Kashmir Valley.
The minimum temperature was 1.6 degrees Celsius in Srinagar Thursday while it was 5.2 degrees in winter … Read : Srinagar minimum temperature rises, snowfall likely in valley.
People ignore their personalities when predicting future happiness
WASHINGTON – Scientists have explained why humans are notoriously bad at predicting their future happiness.
Jordi Quoidbach from the University of Liege, Belgium, suggested that part of the reason for these mispredictions lies in failing to recognize the key role played by one’s own personality when determining future emotional reactions.
Quoidbach and his partner, Elizabeth Dunn, …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Earth is twice as dusty as in 19th century
WASHINGTON – If your house seems dustier than usual, it may have nothing to do with your housekeeping skills.
The amount of dust in the atmosphere has doubled over the last century, according to a new study, and the dramatic increase is influencing climate and ecology around the world.
The study, led by Natalie …. Source : Gaea News Network.
When and how continents formed
WASHINGTON – A new study attempts to bring to rest a long- standing debate – when and how continents really formed.
The continental crust formation modified the composition of the mantle and the atmosphere, it supports life and it remains a sink for carbon dioxide through weathering and erosion.
However, the timing … Read more »».
‘Jeopardy!’ champs beaten to buzzer by IBM computer ‘Watson’
WASHINGTON – IBM has after four years developed a computing system called ‘Watson’ that specializes in analysing natural human language and answering complex questions.
And to test its capabilities, the machine was pitted against the most celebrated human contestants, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter, in a ‘Jeopardy!’ exhibition match.
Watson … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Jeopardy!’ champs beaten to buzzer by IBM computer ‘Watson’.
Extinct woolly mammoth could be reborn in four years
LONDON – The long extinct woolly mammoth could be resurrected in under four years, thanks to cloning technology breakthrough.
Previous efforts in the 1990s to recover nuclei in cells from the skin and muscle tissue of mammoths found in Siberia failed because the region’s extreme cold had damaged them.
But a technique pioneered in …. Source article : Extinct woolly mammoth could be reborn in four years.
Top 10 global weather events in 2010
WASHINGTON – A panel of experts has ranked the top 10 global weather and climate events of 2010 as follows.
According to Christian Science Monitor, voters considered the scope and unusualness of the event, its immediate human and economic impact, and whether it is emblematic of climate trends or variability:
1.Russian-European-Asian heat waves
The heat …. Read the original article : here.
Brain images can predict your video game performance
WASHINGTON – Want to know how well you fare in video games? Well, researchers say they need look no further than a specific region of your brain – basal ganglia.
Psychology professors at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, have said that they could now predict with ‘unprecedented accuracy’ a person’s skills at video games and other …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Brain images can predict your video game performance.
Mad cow disease can also be transmitted through air: Study
WASHINGTON – University of Zurich researchers have discovered that prions – the infectious proteins that cause mad cow disease and its human version Creutzfeldt-Jakob disorder – could also be transmitted through the air.
The surprising finding will likely mean a whole new push of precautionary measures for scientific labs, slaughterhouses and animal feed plants.
Until now, it …. Original source : Mad cow disease can also be transmitted through air: Study.
Suicide risk greater for those living at higher altitudes
WASHINGTON – A 20-year analysis of mortality data from counties across the United States has found that living at higher altitudes may be a risk factor for suicide.
The study was conducted jointly by scientists from University Hospitals Case Medical Center (Cleveland, OH), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (PA), and Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston).
The team … Original article on : Suicide risk greater for those living at higher altitudes.
Bacteria in the gut help control obesity and inflammation
WASHINGTON – Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston have discovered that the bacteria living in the intestines may play a far more significant role in weight loss and gastrointestinal problems than ever imagined.
They show that a deficiency of Toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2)-used by mammals (including humans) to recognize resident microbes in the [..] Read the original article: here.
Now, a website that tells men how to seduce women into sex
MELBOURNE – American consumer products giant Procter and Gamble has come up with a website that offers advice to men on how to seduce women and get them into bed.
The site ManoftheHouse.com gives tips on grilling burgers, cleaning toilets, disciplining children, and sex too.
It promises on its site, “We’ll make men out of you yet”, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Now, a website that tells men how to seduce women into sex.
UK to rebuild world’s first room-sized recognisably modern computer
LONDON – The first recognisably modern computer, the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (Edsac), is to be rebuilt at the UK’s former code-cracking centre Bletchley Park.
Creation of the replica, which was a room-sized behemoth built at Cambridge University that first ran in 1949, has been commissioned by the UK’s Computer Conservation Society (CCS).
Edsac was one … Read more »»».
‘Healthy mammoth could be reborn in 4 or 5 years’
LONDON – A professor has claimed that the woolly mammoth, extinct for thousands of years, could be reborn with the help of cloning technology.
Akira Iritani, a professor at Kyoto University, is reactivating a campaign to resurrect the species that died out 5,000 years ago.
“Now the technical problems have been overcome, all we need is a … Original article on : ‘Healthy mammoth could be reborn in 4 or 5 years’.
‘Longevity’ protein may ward off precursor to prostate cancer
WASHINGTON – New evidence suggests that the “longevity” protein SIRT1 can inhibit the development of a known precursor to prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).
Results from the study could lead to new cancer prevention drugs that could not only block prostate cancer but promote longevity.
The study by researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson …. Source article on Gaea Times at : ‘Longevity’ protein may ward off precursor to prostate cancer.
Why minor details are linked to long-term memories
WASHINGTON – Scientists have found why we remember the smallest of details of an episode even after a long period of time.
“Our finding explains, at least partially, why seemingly irrelevant information like the color of the shirt of an important person is remembered as vividly as more significant information such as the person’s impressive remark …. Original source : Why minor details are linked to long-term memories.
Why sex in space might be a bad idea
LONDON – A new study has shown that foetus of a pregnant zebrafish in space like conditions develops cranial defects, raising the possibility of same effects in humans.
Tamara Franz-Odendaal at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, said that changes in neural crest cells are responsible for triggering the abnormalities, reports New Scientist.
Franz-Odendaal and her …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Why sex in space might be a bad idea.
Was climate change the reason behind fall of the Roman Empire?
WASHINGTON – A new study has linked climate change to the fall of the Roman Empire.
A prolonged period of wet weather triggered the spread of the Bubonic plague in medieval times and a 300-year long spell of unpredictable weather may have led to the decline of the Roman Empire, says the new study from the … Read more : Was climate change the reason behind fall of the Roman Empire?.
Gravitational lens could shed light on the origin of the Universe
LONDON – Astronomers have demonstrated how gravitational lensing, a phenomenon in which light from a distant object is bent around a massive foreground object, allows us to see the faintest and most distant galaxies.
It could us to understand the origin of the Universe, say researchers.
A team, led by Dr. Dennis Walsh of The University of … Read more »»».
Chandra images show result of star formation on overdrive
WASHINGTON – A new image captured by Chandra X-ray Observatory shows the result of star formation on overdrive.
M82 is a so-called starburst galaxy, where stars are forming at rates that are tens or even hundreds of times higher than in a normal galaxy.
Astronomers believe that the star formation in this galaxy is a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Chandra images show result of star formation on overdrive.
New 230mn-yr-old predator ‘dawn runner’ discovered in South America
WASHINGTON – Experts have announced the discovery of a dinosaur that roamed South America approximately 230 million years ago and have dubbed it the ‘dawn runner’.
“It really is the earliest look we have at the long line of meat eaters that would ultimately culminate in Tyrannosaurus rex near the end of the dinosaur era,” said … Original article on : New 230mn-yr-old predator ‘dawn runner’ discovered in South America.
Kamasutra could make you a victim of a hack attack
WASHINGTON – According to a security research firm, the Kamasutra might make you a victim of computer hackers.
Security research firm Sophos has said that a Powerpoint file demonstrating more than a dozen different sexual positions is malware in disguise.
The file, called ‘Real kamasutra.pps.exe,’ masquerades as a legitimate PowerPoint deck but the minute you open the …. Source : Kamasutra could make you a victim of a hack attack.
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).
Black hole big enough to swallow solar system
LONDON – This black hole is large enough to swallow our entire solar system and weighs as much as 6.8 billion suns.
The M87 black hole is the largest such phenomenon identified so far. Previous estimates had it as only three billion times the weight of the sun.
Scientists used a specially adapted telescope in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Black hole big enough to swallow solar system.
3D mapping helping police fight Maoists in Jharkhand
RANCHI – The Jharkhand Police has adopted the latest technology of 3D mapping to to take on the Maoists in the state.
“The 3D mapping is helping us in getting familiar with the terrain, forests, hills and other places. It helps the security forces involved in anti-Maoist operations,” Superintendent of Police of anti-Maoist operation Apoorva … Read more >>.
1,654 crocodiles in Orissa park
BHUBANESWAR – The estuarine crocodile population in Orissa’s Bhitarkanika National Park has gone up to 1,654 from last year’s 1,610, officials said Sunday.
Disclosing the results of the annual estuarine or salt water crocodile census conducted in the park in Kendrapada district from Jan 4-11, divisional forest officer Manoj Mohapatra said the increase in the … Original source on Gaea Times at : 1,654 crocodiles in Orissa park.
Bright sunshine in Chandigarh, but mercury dips
CHANDIGARH – There was bright sunshine in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Sunday, but cold winds sweeping the region led to a plunge in temperature, the weather office said.
Punjab’s Amritsar city was coldest in the region at a low of 0.6 degrees Celsius. Patiala and Ludhiana cities recorded minimum temperatures of 6.3 and 3.6 degrees.
…. Read the original article : Bright sunshine in Chandigarh, but mercury dips.
Faster, larger, quieter superplanes by 2025?
LONDON – US space agency NASA has unveiled three concept designs for quieter and more energy efficient superplanes that could be ready by 2025.
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing came up with the designs and also won a contract from NASA to research, develop and test their concepts in 2011.
NASA is planning to …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Faster, larger, quieter superplanes by 2025?.
Adarsh building should be demolished: environment ministry
NEW DELHI – The scam-hit Adarsh housing society building in Mumbai should be demolished for violating green norms, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) said Sunday.
The environment ministry had November last year served a notice to the society, asking it why the illegal floors in the building should not be demolished.
The 31-storey …. Original article : Adarsh building should be demolished: environment ministry.
Online tool can help worried seniors quickly determine dementia risk
WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that a quick online assessment tool developed by Johns Hopkins researchers can help worried seniors find out if they are at risk of developing dementia and determine whether they should seek a comprehensive, face-to-face diagnosis from a physician.
The tool, which is being refined and validated, is not meant … Read : Online tool can help worried seniors quickly determine dementia risk.
Disney cartoons promote ‘what-is-beautiful-is-good’ stereotype
WASHINGTON – Appalachian State University psychology professors have conducted a study in which they ask: “Do animated Disney characters portray and promote the beauty-goodness stereotype?”
Doris Bazzini, Lisa Curtin and Denise Martz analysed the effect viewing an animated movie that portrays “beauty as good” has on children, male and female, ages 6 to 12.
They found that …. Original source : Disney cartoons promote ‘what-is-beautiful-is-good’ stereotype.
‘Liquid pistons’ could lead to new advances in camera lenses, drug delivery
WASHINGTON – Engineering researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed liquid pistons, which could lead to new devices like micro displacement pumps and liquid switches, to adaptive lenses and advanced drug delivery systems.
The oscillating droplets of ferrofluid precisely displace a surrounding liquid and the pulsating motion of the ferrofluid droplets, which are saturated with metal …. Source : ‘Liquid pistons’ could lead to new advances in camera lenses, drug delivery.
Remains of oldest fruit trees found in Iberian Peninsula
WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that the seed samples gathered over the years at medieval archaeological sites in the historic old quarter of Hondarribia are the remains of the oldest fruit trees in Southern Europe.
The town of Hondarribia lies on the coast of the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, Spain.
The research was undertaken by the archaeobiology …. Read the original article : here.
First genetic test for predicting IVF success developed
WASHINGTON – Researchers have developed the first genetic blood test for predicting the chances that in vitro fertilization (IVF) will lead to a successful pregnancy.
The test is based on the finding that different subtypes of the FMR1 gene (also known as the fragile X mental retardation gene) in potential mothers are associated with significantly different … Read more >>.
Himachal shivers, Shimla sees coldest night of season
SHIMLA – An intense cold wave saw most parts of Himachal Pradesh shivering Sunday with Shimla at a biting minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, a day after the state saw rains and snowfall.
Shimla, which saw 5 cm of snow since Saturday, experienced its coldest night of the season. Flights in and out of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Himachal shivers, Shimla sees coldest night of season.
Kashmir freezes over, Pahalgam minus 16.1
SRINAGAR – The bitter chill returned to Kashmir Valley Sunday with Pahalgam hill station being the coldest at minus 16.1 degrees Celsius and water in the taps freezing in Srinagar that shivered at minus 3.7 degrees.
The Jammu-Srinagar highway was opened to one-way traffic after remaining closed for two days due to snowfall.
“Due to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kashmir freezes over, Pahalgam minus 16.1.
Facebook, Google join web future warning
LONDON – Web addresses are likely to run out as soon as November and to raise public awareness Google and Facebook have decided to switch their websites to a new system for one day in June.
On June 8, a whole bunch of web giants, including Google, Facebook, Yahoo, will turn on a new way of …. Original source : Facebook, Google join web future warning.
Don’t save passwords on your browser
FRANKFURT – Never store unencrypted passwords on a computer’s browser. Doing so makes it too easy for hackers to access the data with tools like Trojans and then access private accounts, warns German computer magazine c’t.
The magazine recommends that people who insist on storing passwords on a browser at least use some kind of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Don’t save passwords on your browser.
Clear sky, but cold winds sweep Delhi
NEW DELHI – Cold winds continued to sweep the capital Sunday even as Delhiites witnessed a relatively clear morning. The weather office said the chilly winds were expected to blow throughout the day.
The minimum temperature recorded at 8.30 a.m. was two notches below the average at 9 degrees Celsius. “The maximum temperature is likely [..] Read the original article: here.
Sunny but chilly day in Delhi
NEW DELHI – Despite the capital city witnessing bright sunshine Saturday, Delhiites felt the chill as icy winds blew throughout the day. The met office has predicted a clear and sunny Sunday.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 21.4 degrees Celsius which is normal for this time of the season while the minimum settled at …. Original source : Sunny but chilly day in Delhi.
Sunny day in UP; 3 more dead
LUCKNOW – A warm day Saturday in Uttar Pradesh saw people enjoying the sun even as three more deaths were reported over the past 24 hours.
The deaths occurred in Maharajganj, Bhadohi and Deoria, according to the state disaster management department. The overall winter death toll in the state stood at 128 Saturday.
With … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sunny day in UP; 3 more dead.
Severe cold in Himachal, snowfall disrupts flights
SHIMLA – The hills of Himachal Pradesh Saturday experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, bringing the temperatures down considerably and disrupting air and road traffic.
“Flights from Delhi to Kullu, Shimla and Dharamsala could not be operated,” an official at the airport here said.
Incessant snow also hampered vehicular traffic on the highways in Shimla, Kinnaur, …. Source article : Severe cold in Himachal, snowfall disrupts flights.
Helicopter offers the only lifeline in upper Himachal
MANALI – With the Rohtang tunnel beneath the majestic Rohtang Pass near here a long way yet from its targeted completion in 2015, helicopter remains the only hope for thousands of snow-bound villagers high up the Himalayan slopes.
The chopper comes not only to the rescue of the ailing and the aged, but also to …. Source : Helicopter offers the only lifeline in upper Himachal.