Science News – Newsletter for January 31, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Making rain? Rubbished idea that may work
LONDON – At the height of the Vietnam War, soldiers who heard US aircraft flying high over the Ho Chi Minh trail might have feared bombs were about to fall from the sky.
In fact, the airplanes were just trying to make it rain, but they were not very good at it.
The plan … Read more : Making rain? Rubbished idea that may work.
New drug restores responsiveness to morphine
WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that a drug called etanercept can restore responsiveness to the pain-relieving effects of morphine in rats that have developed morphine tolerance.
The experimental results suggest that etanercept-which blocks the inflammatory cytokine …. Read the original article : New drug restores responsiveness to morphine.
Omega-3 deficiency may explain depressive behaviours
LONDON – A new study has said that dietary insufficiency in omega-3 fatty acid may explain deleterious consequences on synaptic functions and emotional behaviours.
These fatty acids are “essential” lipids because the body cannot synthesize them from new. They must therefore be provided … Read more >>>.
Size means power, babies know by age 10 months
LONDON – By 10 months, babies are aware of the fact that size brings with it power.
In the past, this skill might have helped them deduce that a lion posed more of a threat than a kitten.
Today, it is more likely to help a toddler with older siblings understand his or her place … Read more »»».
Fast, accurate test to diagnose CJD developed
LONDON – Researchers have developed a highly sensitive assay that could change the way to diagnose the degenerative neurological condition Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), providing a fast, accurate alternative for early diagnosis of this rare but deadly condition.
The assay has been developed by microbiologist Ryuichiro Atarashi of Nagasaki University, Japan, and his team.
CJD is a prion …. Read the original article : Fast, accurate test to diagnose CJD developed.
Intense cold returns to Himachal after snowfall
SHIMLA – The biting cold returned to Himachal Pradesh Monday after snowfall across its hills with Keylong turning out to be the coldest town in the state at a minimum of minus 11.8 degrees Celsius.
“Higher reaches in Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kullu and Kinnaur districts got moderate snow in the last two days,” said … Original article on : Intense cold returns to Himachal after snowfall.
Vikings used glowing ’sunstone’ to navigate on cloudy days
LONDON – The ‘magical’ stories about the glowing ’sunstone’ that, when held up to the sky, revealed the position of the Sun even on a cloudy day, may all be true.
Scientists measuring the properties of light in the sky have said that polarizing crystals-which function in the same way as the mythical sunstone-could have helped …. Read the original article : Vikings used glowing ’sunstone’ to navigate on cloudy days.
New ‘iron sandwich’ solar cells could help ‘buildings generate electricity’
MELBOURNE – Scientists at Melbourne’s Monash University have developed a new generation of solar cells that they say could lead to significant improvements in solar panel efficiency.
The team used dye sensitised solar cells containing electrolytes made out of an iron-based organometallic compound called ferrocene, also known as ’sandwich compound’ because it sandwiches an iron atom … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New ‘iron sandwich’ solar cells could help ‘buildings generate electricity’.
Dirty denims aren’t as grimy as you think!
MELBOURNE – Denims stay surprisingly clean even after being worn for more than a year without washing, according to an experiment carried out “just for fun” by a Canadian university student and his professor.
“I expected to find some bacteria associated with the lower intestine, such as E. coli, but was surprised to find there weren’t …. Source article : Dirty denims aren’t as grimy as you think!.
‘Darwin Gap’ quake may shake Chile once again
LONDON – A fault line in Chile that shook Charles Darwin during his voyages in 1835, and ripped again last year, may strike again.
An analysis of land movement has shown that the magnitude 8.8 quake that hit in February 2010, claiming over 500 lives, increased stress significantly in a segment of a fault which last … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Darwin Gap’ quake may shake Chile once again.
Brit stargazers urge UK public to ‘count stars to see effect of pollution’
LONDON – A Brit survey proposed to measure the effect of light pollution on the night sky has found that more than 83 percent of people had their view of the night sky affected by the pollution.
As a part of the study, members of the public are urged to count stars in the sky, reports … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brit stargazers urge UK public to ‘count stars to see effect of pollution’.
Internet ‘kill switch’ legislation re-surfaces
WASHINGTON – It seems that the so-called Internet “kill switch” legislation has resurfaced, according to the proposal’s chief sponsor.
The legislation came into play the same day Egyptians faced an internet blackout designed to counter massive demonstrations in that country.
The bill, being floated by Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican ranking member on the Homeland Security and …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Internet ‘kill switch’ legislation re-surfaces.
Air laser to sniff out bombs, pollutants from a distance
WASHINGTON – Engineers have developed a new laser sensing technology that may allow soldiers to sniff out hidden bombs from a distance.
“We are able to send a laser pulse out and get another pulse back from the air itself,” said Richard Miles, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University in the US.
…. Read the original article : Air laser to sniff out bombs, pollutants from a distance.
Smoking habits transmit from mom to daughter, dad to son
LONDON – Fathers transmit their smoking habits to their sons, while mothers do the same for daughters. However, if a mother smokes it does not seem to induce the son to smoke, and similarly a father who smokes does not affect his daughter, says a new study.
The research is based on information from the …. Original source : Smoking habits transmit from mom to daughter, dad to son.
Bugs that control sex of female spiders’ offspring by killing male embryos
LONDON – A new study has found that female spiders are at the mercy of certain parasitic bugs that kills of their embryonic sons.
Wolbachia bacteria are transmitted through eggs, so their survival depends on how many females are born.
This evolution strategy allows the bacteria to maximise their chances of making it to the next generation.
The … Read more : Bugs that control sex of female spiders’ offspring by killing male embryos.
Popular energy shots nothing but ‘caffeinated, sour tasting water’
NEW YORK – Experts have said that the latest ‘energy- shots’ that seem to have caught everyone’s fancy may be nothing but slightly caffeinated, sour-tasting water.
They said that the four-dollar a bottle drinks create nothing but a placebo effect.
The drink makers are not required to list how much caffeine they contain, nor does the law …. Original source : Popular energy shots nothing but ‘caffeinated, sour tasting water’.
Now, 100K times more efficient transistors possible using molybdenite
LONDON – Smaller and more energy-efficient electronic chips are on their way as Swiss scientists have found a material-molybdenite- that has distinct advantages over traditional silicon or graphene for use in …. Source : Gaea News Network.
IIT Delhi students pedal to promote green cause
NEW DELHI – About 100 students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi Sunday took out a cycle rally to inspire people to pedal short distances and cut down their carbon footprints.
The rally, organised as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 63rd death anniversary, started from Mehrauli Gate of the IIT … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : IIT Delhi students pedal to promote green cause.
Himachal’s popular tourist destinations get more snow
SHIMLA – Popular hill resorts of Himachal Pradesh got more snowfall Sunday and the night temperature was expected to fall further, weather officials said.
A fresh spell of snow greeted the people, especially the tourists, in picturesque Kufri, Narkanda, Manali and Kalpa. Shimla too experienced mild spells of snow in the evening.
“Higher reaches in … Read more »».
BrahMos Aerospace to make cryogenic engines for Indian rockets
CHENNAI – Missile makers BrahMos Aerospace will manufacture the cryogenic engine once the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) perfects the technology, said a senior official Sunday.
The company is also hoping to induct its supersonic cruise missile into the Indian Air Force and develop hypersonic missile in six years’ time, chief executive and managing director …. Original article : BrahMos Aerospace to make cryogenic engines for Indian rockets.