Science News – Newsletter for January 18, 2011

Corporate sponsorship ‘could fund Mars mission’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have said that corporate funding could make Mars mission a reality.

One of the biggest obstacle to a potential space mission is finding the almost USD150 billion dollars needed to develop the program.

“With clever marketing and advertising and the subsequent increase in public interest, between USD30 billion to USD 90 billion can be … Original article on : Corporate sponsorship ‘could fund Mars mission’.

Men suffering mysterious allergies post orgasm

LONDON – Men are being afflicted by a mysterious illness right after sex and scientists have said that they could be allergic to themselves.

Dutch researchers have said that the illness, known as post orgasmic illness syndrome or POIS, manifests itself in the form of fever, runny nose, extreme fatigue and burning eyes.

The conditions come on … Read more »»».

Risks of cyber war ‘over-exaggerated’, says study

LONDON – A study has said that the risks involved in a cyber war have been “over-exaggerated” with the vast majority of hi-tech attacks not deserving the name at all.

The study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is part of a series considering incidents that could cause global disruption.

It said that while pandemics …. Source  : Risks of cyber war ‘over-exaggerated’, says study.

New skin patch may help people with Alzheimer’s

LONDON – A new skin patch may help jog the memory of those with Alzheimer’s.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence had banned Aricept (donepezil), Reminyl (galantamine) and Exelon (rivastigmine).

But in a major U-turn, the UK’s drug rationing body has agreed to let those in the early stages of the devastating disease have access … Read more >>>.

Eating less during early pregnancy impairs foetal brain development

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that eating less during early stage of pregnancy could cause lifetime damage to an unborn baby’s brain, leading to lower IQ and behavioural problems.

Although the study was carried out on animals, researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center said the same findings are relevant for humans.

They …. Read the original article  : here.

Srinagar battles frozen taps, winter woes at minus 5.6

SRINAGAR – Residents of Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley faced a tough time Tuesday heating up frozen water taps and negotiating the slippery roads as the minimum temperature in the city and the nearby region dipped to 5.6 degrees Celsius below freezing point.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar city was minus 5.6 … Read more >>>.

Binge drinking problem ‘getting out of control’

WASHINGTON – Binge drinking, prevalent among young people, is getting out of control and it’s high time for a wake-up call, according to a new editorial in a Canadian medical journal.

Ken Flegel, Noni MacDonald and Paul H???bert said that comprehensive public strategies should be initiated to educate people about the dangerous health effects associated … Read more >>>.

Your genes help you pick your friends: Study

LONDON – In a new study, scientists found that groups of friends show patterns of genetic similarity.

The study was conducted by lead author James Fowler, a social scientist at the University of California, San Diego, and his colleagues.

Their findings are based on patterns of variation in two out of six genes sampled among friends and … Read more »»».

Chilly morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites Tuesday got some respite from the cold winds that were blowing for the last few days, but the chill continued with the minimum temperature touching 4.4 degrees Celsius – three notches below the average, the weather office said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the drop in temperature to clear …. Source article  : Chilly morning in Delhi.

Today’s projectors turn living rooms into private cinemas

BERLIN – Going to the movies no longer means leaving home. All you need these days is a projector and a blank space on your wall to turn a living room into a cinema.

Despite the great picture quality, they remain a big investment, so don’t grab the first projector you see. It’s better to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Today’s projectors turn living rooms into private cinemas.

Soot level in air high in Indian cities, says study

NEW DELHI – The level of soot in the air is significantly high in six Indian cities, including Delhi, and there is an immediate need to check the source of pollution, according to an environment ministry study released Monday.

The finding came in a study commissioned by the ministry in six cities – Delhi, Mumbai, …. Read the original article  : Soot level in air high in Indian cities, says study.

Sunny day in plains as hill towns still shiver (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – The plains of north India greeted another warm and sunny day Monday with schools across the region reopening after an extended winter vacation. However, the Himalayan towns continued to suffer under snow and freezing temperatures.

Thousands of schoolchildren once again packed their bags and tiffin boxes and left home in warm clothes …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sunny day in plains as hill towns still shiver (Roundup).

Sun keeps Delhi pleasant

NEW DELHI – With bright sunshine and clear skies Monday, the week began on a pleasant note for Delhiites who soaked in the winter sun even as chilly winds blew throughout the day.

The weather will be similar over the next couple of days, the weatherman has predicted.
“The maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded …. Original article  : Sun keeps Delhi pleasant.

Can help Kerala with satellite imagery: ISRO arm

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – A state-run remote sensing agency has offered to provide Kerala with satellite images of the state’s terrain to help prevent tragedies like the one that occurred near the Sabrimala temple last week that claimed 102 lives.

“We have all the data for this and since the cost involved for making three dimensional … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Can help Kerala with satellite imagery: ISRO arm.

Himachal stays in grip of cold

SHIMLA – The hills of Himachal Pradesh Monday continued to be in the grip of the severe cold with snow-blocked roads affecting traffic.

Roads in the upper Shimla areas remained blocked because of the heavy snowfall in the region last week. Traffic was disrupted for the third consecutive day.
A government spokesperson said that no … Original article on : Himachal stays in grip of cold.

New technique to visualize gene expression in mammalian cells found

WASHINGTON – For the first time, scientists have successfully visualized single molecules of naturally occurring messenger RNA (mRNA) transcribed in living mammalian cells.

The breakthrough discovery achieved by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, US, could eventually shed light on how gene expression influences human disease.

Gene expression involves transcribing a gene’s DNA into molecules of … Original source on Gaea Times at : New technique to visualize gene expression in mammalian cells found.

Can sauvignon blanc in sunscreen help avoid sunburn?

WELLINGTON – A NZ company has discovered a brand new use for Marlborough sauvignon blanc – using it in sunscreen.

Marlborough company NZ Extracts recently commissioned AgResearch to investigate whether sauvignon blanc extracts could help avoid sunburn.

“We were surprised by how effective grape seed extracts are at combating protein damage from UV rays on skin,” Stuff.co.nz …. Original source  : Can sauvignon blanc in sunscreen help avoid sunburn?.

Shoulder function not fully restored after surgery: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that shoulder motion after rotator cuff surgery remains significantly different when compared to the patient’s opposite shoulder.

In the Henry Ford Hospital study that updated prior findings, researchers used X-rays providing a 3D view of motion of the arm bone in relation to the shoulder blade, to compare motion … Read more : Shoulder function not fully restored after surgery: Study.

How LCD projectors ’switch neurons on-off like light bulbs’ in worms

LONDON – Researchers have developed a novel way to control the brain and muscles of tiny organisms, including freely moving worms, using inexpensive components from ordinary liquid crystal display (LCD) projectors.

Red, green and blue lights from a projector activate light-sensitive microbial proteins that are genetically engineered into the worms, allowing the researchers to switch neurons …. Source article  : How LCD projectors ’switch neurons on-off like light bulbs’ in worms.

Mobile numbers, addresses on Facebook ‘a security risk’

SYDNEY – A security expert has warned that users should remove their home addresses and phone numbers from their Facebook accounts.

Graham Cluley said the website now gives third parties access to that information.

The website said in a blog post at the weekend that it would give developers of applications access to the contact information of …. Read the original article  : Mobile numbers, addresses on Facebook ‘a security risk’.