Science News – Newsletter for January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Novel peptide ‘kills’ cancer cells more effective than current therapies

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a novel peptide that can act as a potent inducer of cancer cell death, which may have significant implications for therapeutic agents used to treat cancer.

Researchers from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School suggested …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Novel peptide ‘kills’ cancer cells more effective than current therapies.

New system turns canines into remotely guided ’super dogs’

WASHINGTON – Auburn University researchers have developed a new system that would turn a canines into remotely guided ’super dogs’ that can take on risky tasks.

David M. Bevly, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Auburn University and his team have created an external, real-time navigation system for trained …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Stone Age rock shelters in Pakistan facing danger

WASHINGTON – About 20 rock shelters in Pakistan, some dating back to the Stone Age are under threat from construction work and are facing danger of being destroyed due to the negligence of the authorities.

A rock shelter is a shallow cave-like opening … Read more >>>.

‘Newest’ cat Sunda leopard has two distinct species

LONDON – The ‘newest’ cat species-the Sunda clouded leopard-exists in reality in two distinct forms, scientists have confirmed.

This big cat is so enigmatic that researchers only realised it was a new species-distinct from clouded leopards living elsewhere in Asia-in 2007.

Now a genetic analysis has confirmed that the cat comes … Read more >>.

Dividing stem cells found to play crucial role spread of tumours

LONDON – Scientists have found that stem cells frequently play a crucial role in the spread of tumours and that if they can develop drugs to deactivate them, it would stop the cells from dividing to create new tumours.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK), Britain’s biggest cancer charity, has set …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Now, a 100 pounds sticking plaster ‘to cure skin cancer at home’

LONDON – A light-emitting sticking plaster, which could be used at home at a cost of just 100 pounds, could now potentially help thousands of people diagnosed with skin cancer.

The high-tech device, Ambulight, contains photodynamic therapy (PDT) that combines with a light-sensitive drug to destroy cancer …. Source : Now, a 100 pounds sticking plaster ‘to cure skin cancer at home’.

Freezing winter continues in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – The Kashmir Valley continued to freeze Sunday with the minimum temperature dipping three degrees below normal to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius while Leh was biting cold at minus 17.6 degrees.

“Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius today (Sunday), which is three degrees below normal, while Jammu recorded a minimum …. Original source : Freezing winter continues in Kashmir Valley.

Delhi sees bright, sunny Sunday morning

NEW DELHI – A shining winter sun broke through light mist to greet the capital Sunday morning.

“The minimum temperature was recorded a notch above the average at 8.8 degree Celsius,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
The official added that the day and the week ahead would be sunny and pleasant and …. Original article : Delhi sees bright, sunny Sunday morning.

Warm day in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi was greeted by a slightly misty morning, leading to a relatively warm Saturday as the maximum temperature was recorded at 23.5 degrees, two degrees above average.

“The weather will be similar over the next couple of days but the morning is likely to be slightly foggy,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) … Read more : Warm day in Delhi.

Symposium on earthquake sciences inaugurated

GANDHINAGAR – Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a three-day international symposium on advances in earthquake sciences here Saturday.

Speaking at the function at the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) campus, Modi said the state had focussed on minimising the risk from such natural calamities, including setting up the ISR.
“Today, we are able to …. Read the original article : here.

Simple recall exercises make science learning easier: Study

WASHINGTON – Putting down those science textbooks and working at recalling information from memory is the new way to boost science learning, suggests a new study.

The new research from Purdue University states that practicing memory retrieval boosts science learning far better … Original article on : Simple recall exercises make science learning easier: Study.

Cell binding discovery paves way for skin, heart problem treatments

WASHINGTON – A new University of Manchester study has revealed the mechanism that binds skin cells tightly together.

According to researchers, it will lead to new treatments for painful and debilitating skin diseases and heart defects.

David Garrod, in the Faculty of …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Cell binding discovery paves way for skin, heart problem treatments.

Birds decorate nest with plastic to keep rivals at bay

LONDON – A new Spanish study has suggested that black kites decorate its nest with large amounts of rubbish to prevent trespassing.

It is a symbol of success, apparently-the biggest collections of plastic are displayed by the black kites with the most chicks and the best territory.

The Spanish research team …. Source : Birds decorate nest with plastic to keep rivals at bay.

Greenland ice sheet melted at record rates in 2010

WASHINGTON – A new study shows that Greenland Ice Sheet set new records for melting in 2010 – the ‘exceptional’ season stretched up to 50 days longer than average.

“This past melt season was exceptional, with melting in some areas stretching up to 50 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Greenland ice sheet melted at record rates in 2010.

Impact of disease-resistant GM wheat on insects ‘may be negligible’

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that the effect of GM wheat plants on insects is minimal.

Simone von Burg at the University of Zurich and Dr Frank van Veen of the University of Exeter and with Dr Fernando Alvarez-Alfageme and Dr Jorg Romeis of the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tdnikon Research Station … Original source on Gaea Times at : Impact of disease-resistant GM wheat on insects ‘may be negligible’.