Science News – Weekly Newsletter for February 1-7, 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.

Frogs re-evolved ‘lost’ lower teeth after more than 200mn yrs

LONDON – New research suggests that frogs re-evolved ‘lost’ bottom teeth after more than 200 million years.

Tree-dwelling Gastrotheca guentheri are the only frogs with teeth on both their upper and lower jaw.

The reappearance of these lower teeth after such a long time fuels debate about whether complex traits are lost in evolution or if they …. Read the original article  : here.

UK Facebook users to get ‘bargain deals’ by sharing exact location

LONDON – British Facebook users can have access to shop discounts and restaurant “bargain deals” by just sharing their exact location through a new smartphone feature.

The Places Deals service is designed to log a member’s location and then find money-off deals in their local area, which can be shared with online friends.

“Friend deals” depend on … Read more >>>.

China seeks parental control over kids’ online gaming

BEIJING – In an effort to curb internet addiction, online game operators in China have been asked to provide parents with a tool to monitor their children while using internet.

A statement issued Monday by the ministry of culture and eight other central government departments said they have ordered the implementation of the Parents’ Guardian [..] Read the original article: here.

Newly deciphered ant genomes offer clues on ant social life, pest control

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists has decoded the genome of a persistent household pest — the Argentine ant, an invasive species that is threatening native insects across the world.

The newly sequenced genomes of the Argentine ant …. Read the original article  : Newly deciphered ant genomes offer clues on ant social life, pest control.

UK teens using mobile phones to swap nude pics, access porn sites

LONDON – A study has found that teenagers in UK are using their mobile phones to swap revealing photographs of themselves and to also access porn sites.

Behind the bike sheds used to be the place where children were initiated into a slightly more grown-up …. Source article  : UK teens using mobile phones to swap nude pics, access porn sites.

Sark declared as world’s first dark sky island

WASHINGTON – The Channel Island of Sark has been declared as the world’s first dark sky island for the quality of its night sky.

Recognized by the International Dark-sky Association (IDA), Sark has no streetlights, paved roads or cars. Therefore, there’s no pollution as there is in cities.

The result … Read more >>>.

Newly discovered dino ‘may be father of Triceratops’

WASHINGTON – A newly discovered species of dinosaur appears to be related to the horned dinosaur species, Triceratops.

The new species, called Titanoceratops weighed nearly 15,000 pounds and a massive eight-foot-long skull. It lived …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Newly discovered dino ‘may be father of Triceratops’.

Leukaemia vaccine goes on clinical trial

LONDON – Scientists in Britain are set to begin the first human trials of a revolutionary cancer vaccine that could save thousands of lives a year.

The immune-boosting leukaemia jab will be tried out on volunteers who have either chronic or acute myeloid leukaemia – two forms of bone marrow and blood cancer.

If … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Leukaemia vaccine goes on clinical trial.

Girls who play video games behave better

WASHINGTON – Girls who play video games behave better, feel more connected to families and have stronger mental health.

Researchers from Brigham Young University focused on girls aged between 11 and 16 years who played video games with a parent.
“The surprising part about this for me is that girls don’t play video …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Snow Day Calculator Never Gone Wrong

TRENTON (GaeATimes.com)- When other children were absorbed with play stations, cartoons and hanging out with their friends, sixth grader David Sukhin, of New Jersey, was completely engrossed in creating a very handy tool, that would make him predict, whether to go to school the next day or not. Later naming it as the …. Original article  : Snow Day Calculator Never Gone Wrong.

Nearly a quarter of web traffic consists of pirated content: Study

WASHINGTON – The illegal downloading or uploading of copyrighted material such as movies, music and TV shows accounts for almost one-fourth of global web traffic, according to a new study.

It claimed that 23.8 percent of global Internet traffic consists of this illegal content, and that half of the illegal content is downloaded using the free … Read : Nearly a quarter of web traffic consists of pirated content: Study.

Brain scans ‘can predict smokers’ quitting success’

WASHINGTON – Brain scans will now predict accurately how successful a smoker will be in kicking the butt.

A new research from the University of Michigan has suggested that brain scans showing neural reactions could predict behaviour change well beyond people’s own assessment of how likely they are to succeed.

Emily Falk, director of U-M’s Communication Neuroscience …. Source article  : Brain scans ‘can predict smokers’ quitting success’.

How hearts adapt and recover from low oxygen

WASHINGTON – From the highest mountaintop comes a new study that sheds light on what happens to the hearts of people when exposed to low-levels of oxygen, such as those on Mount Everest or in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

In the study, researchers monitored subjects who spent time at the Mount Everest Base …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How hearts adapt and recover from low oxygen.

Scientists grow arteries with most elastic protein reported

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have grown arteries that exhibit the elasticity of natural blood vessels at the highest levels reported.

The new development could overcome a major barrier to creating living-tissue replacements for damaged arteries.

The team used smooth muscle cells from adult baboons to produce the first arteries grown outside the body …. Read the original article  : Scientists grow arteries with most elastic protein reported.

Scientist working to grow meat in lab

WASHINGTON – A scientist at the Medical University of South Carolina has been working for the past 10 years to grow meat.

Vladimir Mironov, one of only a few scientists worldwide involved in bioengineering “cultured” meat, believes that the product could help solve future global food crises resulting from shrinking amounts of land available for growing … Original article on : Scientist working to grow meat in lab.

Head injury ‘can blight the chances of survival up to 13 years later’

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that a head injury can blight the chances of survival up to 13 years after the event, especially among younger adults.

As part of the study, researchers tracked over 2,000 people, 757 of whom had sustained a head injury that required admission to one of five hospitals in Glasgow …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chimp mums ‘mourn their dead infants’

LONDON – Scientists have revealed for the first time that female chimpanzees mourn their dead infants.

According to researchers, chimpanzee mothers establish close physical relationships with their young, carrying them for up to two years and nursing them until they are six, reports the Telegraph.

But now scientists have filmed how one chimpanzee mother, whose 16-month-old infant … Original source on Gaea Times at : Chimp mums ‘mourn their dead infants’.

Moderate physical exercise in older adults shown to improve memory

WASHINGTON – A new study-conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois, Rice University, and Ohio State University-shows that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain’s hippocampus in older adults, leading to an improvement in spatial memory.

The project is considered the first study of its kind … Read more »»».

Dogs ‘can sniff out cancer in stool’

MELBOURNE – Japanese scientists claim that a Labrador can detect bowel cancer in breath and stool samples with remarkable accuracy.

The research team, led by Hideto Sonoda at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, says that the findings support hopes for an ‘electronic nose’ that could one day sniff a tumour at its earliest stages, reports ABC …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dogs ‘can sniff out cancer in stool’.

Arctic Ocean water is ‘warmest it’s been for more than 2,000 years’

LONDON – A new study has found that the water flowing into the Arctic from the North Atlantic is at its warmest level for more than 2,000 years.

This could endanger polar bears, which need the ice in order to survive.

Scientists at the University of Colorado in Boulder examined tiny plankton-like organisms on the seabed of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Arctic Ocean water is ‘warmest it’s been for more than 2,000 years’.

New ‘henge-like’ monument unearthed at Stonehenge

WASHINGTON – Archaeologists have discovered a major ceremonial monument less than one km away from the iconic Stonehenge.

The team led by the University of Birmingham and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, Austria, unearthed the prehistoric ‘henge-like’ late Neolithic monument, reports Physorg.com.

Professor Vince Gaffney, from Birmingham University, hailed the incredible discovery … Read : New ‘henge-like’ monument unearthed at Stonehenge.

Stilettoes ‘make your legs more toned’

LONDON – It looks like killer heels are not just a sexy accessory – they are a way of getting a fabulous set of pins.

According to a new research, stilettos give the legs a great workout, and make them more shapely and toned.

The study of women aged 18 to 33 revealed that walking in high …. Source  : Stilettoes ‘make your legs more toned’.

Last five blocks of Internet addresses to be shared

LONDON – The current pool of Internet addresses is running out with the last five blocks set to be distributed to regional agencies.

In the early hours of February 1, the organisation that oversees net addresses in the Asia Pacific region put in a request for more.

When these are handed over, the central pool of net …. Read the original article  : here.

HIV-infected teens ‘at high risk for pregnancy, complications’

WASHINGTON – Johns Hopkins scientists have revealed that teenage girls and young women infected with HIV get pregnant more often and suffer pregnancy complications more frequently than their HIV-negative peers.

The findings come from a multi-center study based on an analysis of records from 181 patients with HIV, ages 13 to 24, treated at four hospitals … Original article on : HIV-infected teens ‘at high risk for pregnancy, complications’.

‘Before-and-after’ tool to help surgeons avoid ‘cosmetic surgery surprises’

WASHINGTON – A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a three-dimensional ‘before and after’ tool for cosmetic surgeons avoid any unpleasant surprises post surgery.

Dr. Alex Bronstein tackled a very difficult mathematical problem in computer modelling called predicting “deformations” of non-rigid objects to build a tool that can generate an anatomically accurate after-surgery image.

“Our program is …. Read the original article  : ‘Before-and-after’ tool to help surgeons avoid ‘cosmetic surgery surprises’.

Soon, self-cleaning, wiper-free car windshields thanks to grapheme

WASHINGTON – Research from Vanderbilt University has found how graphene can be used to create windshields that shed water so effectively that they don’t need wipers.

James Dickerson and his colleagues have figured out how to create a freestanding film of graphene oxide and alter its surface roughness so that it either causes water to bead … Original source on Gaea Times at : Soon, self-cleaning, wiper-free car windshields thanks to grapheme.

New predictive tool to find where the Gulf spill oil has disappeared

WASHINGTON – A new predictive model based on engineering design tools has been developed by engineers at Louisiana State University and Louisiana State University to predict the environmental fate and impact of the oil and chemical dispersant.

The Deepwater Horizon spill was the first time chemical dispersants were directly added to the oil pouring out of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New predictive tool to find where the Gulf spill oil has disappeared.

Sleep selectively stores important memories

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that brain evaluates information during sleep and retain the ones they know could be useful in the future.

The study has shed light on how the brain decides what to keep and what to forget.

“Our results show that memory consolidation during sleep indeed involves a basic selection process that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sleep selectively stores important memories.

Shingles ‘more common than previously thought’

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that recurrences of shingles-condition that causes a specific type of skin rash and severe pain-is more common than doctors have suspected.

The study has challenged the long-held belief that patients are protected from a recurrence of the herpes zoster virus, which causes shingles, after one episode.

Rather the study has … Original article on : Shingles ‘more common than previously thought’.

Bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study from the University of Haifa has revealed that bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language, as they gain a better aptitude for languages.

Prof. Salim Abu-Rabia and Ekaterina Sanitsky of the Department of Special Education, who conducted the study, set out to examine what benefits bilingualism might have in … Original article on : Bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language: Study.

Migraine surgery produces lasting good results

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that surgery to “deactivate” migraine headaches produces lasting good results, with nearly 90 percent of patients having at least partial relief at five years’ follow-up.

In about 30 percent of patients, migraine headaches were completely eliminated after surgery, according to the new study, led by Dr. Bahman Guyuron of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Coffee boosts women’s brainpower, but sends men into meltdown

LONDON – A new study by psychologists at Bristol University suggests that women should swap herbal teas for strong coffee if they want to get ahead of their male counterparts at work.

The study found drinking caffeinated coffee boosts a woman’s performance in stressful situations but has the opposite effect on men, reports the Telegraph.

They become …. Read the original article  : Coffee boosts women’s brainpower, but sends men into meltdown.

Now, hydrogen beads car-fuel that ‘can cut CO2 emissions by 30pc’

LONDON – Researchers at Cella Energy in Didcot, UK, are developing nanobeads of ammonia-borane hydride which when used as car fuel, can cut greenhouse emission by 30 percent.

Storing liquid hydrogen in cars is a problem because it requires low temperatures and very large tanks.

The hydrides being developed by the team are protected from oxygen in … Read : Now, hydrogen beads car-fuel that ‘can cut CO2 emissions by 30pc’.

Human placenta stem cells show therapeutic potential in stroke models

WASHINGTON – In a new study from the University of South Florida, researchers found that human placenta-derived stem cells showed chances of recovery in the laboratory mice with modelled stroke.

These cells proliferated and differentiated when they interacted with one kind of melatonin receptor, MT1.

“Along with increasing cell proliferation and survival rate, MT1 also enhanced the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Human placenta stem cells show therapeutic potential in stroke models.

First Mercury mission to reveal mysterious planet’s secrets

WASHINGTON – As NASA’s Messenger spacecraft readies itself for entering the orbit of Mercury on March 17, everyone is waiting with bated breaths to see what secrets it reveals about the planet.

Louise Prockter, deputy project scientist on the mission, talks about the challenges, the early successes of the mission and her own triumphant voyage over …. Original article  : First Mercury mission to reveal mysterious planet’s secrets.

Android overtakes Symbian as world’s most popular smartphone OS

LONDON – Nokia’s Symbian is no more the best smartphone operating system – it has been toppled over by Google’s Android.

According to figures released by analysts Canalys, during the last quarter of 2010 a total of 32.9million Android-equipped phones were sold globally -roughly seven times more than during the same time period in 2009 – …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Android overtakes Symbian as world’s most popular smartphone OS.

NASA’S NEOWISE finds previously unknown 20 comets, 33,000 asteroids

WASHINGTON – NASA has completed its mission of surveying the solar system and has discovered previously unknown objects, including 20 new comets and more than 33,000 asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The mission, called NEOWISE, also identified 134 near-Earth objects (NEOs) – the NEOs are asteroids and comets whose orbits come within …. Read the original article  : NASA’S NEOWISE finds previously unknown 20 comets, 33,000 asteroids.

Kids given swine flu vaccine ‘have an increased risk of sleep disorder’

LONDON – Finnish researchers have found that children given a swine flu vaccine have an increased risk of a sleep disorder.

According to a preliminary study by the National Narcolepsy Task Force, children aged 4 to 19 vaccinated with Pandemrix had nine times the risk of narcolepsy – a rare disorder that causes people to suddenly …. Read the original article  : here.

Facelift surgery ‘makes you look 12 years younger’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that patients who have undergone a facelift rate themselves as looking an average of 12 years younger after surgery.

According to the study by Eric Swanson, a plastic surgeon in private practice in Leawood, Kansas, the vast majority of patients undergoing facelift surgery are satisfied with their results after …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Facelift surgery ‘makes you look 12 years younger’.

India should conserve its wetlands, says BNHS director

MUMBAI – There is urgent need to conserve India’s wetlands, home to rare bird and mammal species, which are shrinking gradually due to the dumping of debris, siltation and encroachment, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) director Asad Rahmani said on World Wetlands Day Wednesday.

“On World Wetlands Day, we strongly emphasise on the need to …. Original article  : India should conserve its wetlands, says BNHS director.

‘Fishing net’ to collect space debris

LONDON – Japans space agency and a 100-year-old fishing net company have designed a huge net to collect space junk, a British report said.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Nitto Seimo Co plan to tackle once and for all the hazardous litter in orbit damaging space shuttles and satellites.
Last year, a US report …. Source  : ‘Fishing net’ to collect space debris.

Dragonfly’s stability in flight inspires micro wind turbine design

LONDON – Micro wind turbines that can withstand gale-force winds are being developed with the technology that allows a dragonfly to remain stable while in flight.

Micro wind turbines work very well in light winds, but when there is a storm they tend to spin faster, and that …. Original article  : Dragonfly’s stability in flight inspires micro wind turbine design.

Ready-to-use bioengineered veins expand off-the-shelf vessels options

LONDON – A new study might make it possible one day for surgeons to simply open the refrigerator when patient-ready bioengineered blood vessels might be needed.

To avoid complications in patients with coronary artery disease or peripheral arterial disease surgeons prefer to use vessels taken from a … Original article on : Ready-to-use bioengineered veins expand off-the-shelf vessels options.

Cosmos 250 times bigger than visible universe

LONDON – Just how big is the universe is a question that has baffled cosmologists for decades. But now scientists have reasons to believe that it is at least 250 times bigger than the visible universe.

Researchers at Oxford University and Imperial College, London, focused on measuring the curvature of the universe.
Should it be … Original source on Gaea Times at : Cosmos 250 times bigger than visible universe.

Too much of sunblock ‘causing a rise in Vit D deficiency in children’

LONDON – A new study has found that using too much of sunblock lotion is causing an increase in Vitamin D deficiencies in children.

“People have a stronger belief in the sun causing cancer than the benefits of getting vitamin D but we need to get a balance,” the Daily Express quoted Dr Colin Michie, a …. Source article  : Too much of sunblock ‘causing a rise in Vit D deficiency in children’.

Martian meteorites suggest collision with Red planet caused water flow

WASHINGTON – University of Leicester researchers are investigating rare fragments of Martian meteorites to reveal one of the ways water flowed near the surface of Mars.

Scientists at the University’s renowned Space Research Centre, in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, examined five meteorite samples – including the very first nakhlite, found a century ago.

Nakhlites are … Original article on : Martian meteorites suggest collision with Red planet caused water flow.

How light can be used for making smaller, faster, cheaper computer chips

LONDON – University of Maryland researchers have found how they can use visible light to make tiny integrated circuits.

The find could one day, have implications for making ever smaller, faster, and cheaper computer chips.

Integrated circuits are made using a technique called photolithography. However, fitting more and more circuits on each chip has meant making smaller …. Original source  : How light can be used for making smaller, faster, cheaper computer chips.

Malaria drug may help treat specific form of dementia

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that various drugs already on the market to treat malaria, angina pectoris or heart rhythm disturbances could also be used in treating a specific form of frontotemporal dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by the breakdown of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal region of the brain (fronto-temporal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Malaria drug may help treat specific form of dementia.

Mother Nature’s new gift to prevent and treat bone diseases

WASHINGTON – A new discovery of a substance-obtained from a coral-reef inhabiting cyanobacterium-may pave way for new drugs to prevent and treat bone diseases.

By some estimates, more than half of today’s medications are in Largazole’s family, the ‘natural products.’ They come from trees, snails, scorpion venom, soil bacteria, other plants and animals; however, so far …. Original article  : Mother Nature’s new gift to prevent and treat bone diseases.

Lower back disease may be inherited: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that symptomatic lumbar disc disease, a condition caused by degeneration or herniation of the discs of the lower spine, may be inherited.

“The results of this study provide evidence based on a population of more than 2 million people, indicating that there likely is a genetic component in the …. Read the original article  : here.

1000 Genomes Project to reveal how genetics influence human health

LONDON – Scientists at Boston College are playing an integral role in the global effort to sequence 1000 genomes and move closer to understanding in fine detail how genetics influence human health and development.

The most comprehensive map to date of genomic structural variants has been assembled by analyzing 185 human genomes by Gabor Marth and [..] Read the original article: here.

Shed those extra kilos before pregnancy for a healthy baby

WASHINGTON – A mice study has found that if obese women shed some extra weight before pregnancy, it has health benefits for their offspring.

In the study, researchers with the Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research at the Health Science Center and the National Institute of Nutrition in Mexico City induced maternal obesity by feeding a … Read more »»».

Osteoporosis treatment gives patients an extra 5 years of life

WASHINGTON – Australian researchers have found that osteoporosis treatment-taking bisphosphonates-not only gives patients a better life but increases their lifespan by five years too.

Jacqueline Center and John Eisman, from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, based their findings on data from the long running Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study.

Out of a total cohort of around 2,000, …. Original source  : Osteoporosis treatment gives patients an extra 5 years of life.

Now, give your brain an ‘electric thinking cap’ to solve complex issues

WASHINGTON – A University of Sydney study has found that it may be possible to stimulate the brain to see the world anew-an electric thinking cap.

Research by Richard Chi and Allan Snyder from the Centre for the Mind at the University of Sydney has found that participants who received electrical stimulation of the anterior temporal …. Read the original article  : Now, give your brain an ‘electric thinking cap’ to solve complex issues.

Bye-bye sniffer dogs! Now, trained mice to sniff out terrorists at airports!

LONDON – Israeli researchers have developed a new detector where trained teams of mice will sniff would-be bombers and drugs at airports.

Researchers say it is more accurate than using dogs, pat downs and x-ray machines, reports the Daily Mail.

It looks like a metal detector or full-body scanner, but one side of it houses three …. Original source  : Bye-bye sniffer dogs! Now, trained mice to sniff out terrorists at airports!.

Internet IP addresses will run out ‘in the next 24 hours’

LONDON – Growth of Internet-enabled phones like the iPhone and web use in Asia has seen a rapid depletion of IP addresses, which are going to run out in the next 24 hours.

Every device, which connects to the Internet, is assigned a “number” but with millions of web enabled phones now online they are … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Internet IP addresses will run out ‘in the next 24 hours’.

Internet will run out of IP addresses by Friday

LONDON – The internet will run out of numerical IP (Internet Protocol) addresses by Friday. But the web will not ground to a halt. A new system, Internet Protocol version 6 or IPv6, will replace version 4.

Every device connected to the net is assigned a number. But with millions of web enabled phones now … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Internet will run out of IP addresses by Friday.

Temperatures rise in Jammu and Kashmir, but cold stays

SRINAGAR – The minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir rose Thursday after weeks of harsh winter chill, but things may be different as the weatherman Thursday forecast rain and snow at isolated places in the Kashmir Valley.

“Rain and snow will occur at isolated places across the Kashmir Valley during the next 48 hours,” a … Read more : Temperatures rise in Jammu and Kashmir, but cold stays.

PM wants to end environmentally damaging behaviour

NEW DELHI – India must put in place regulatory environment policies that will prevent “potentially damaging behaviour” but not retore the “license permit raj”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday.

Addressing the inaugural of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit here, Manmohan Singh said that incentives must encourage economic decision makers to act in an environmentally … Original article on : PM wants to end environmentally damaging behaviour.

Alien find likelier after NASA finds evidence of over 1,200 more planets

LONDON – After NASA revealed that it has found evidence for over 1200 planets more, the chances of discovering alien life are a lot higher.

And according to some experts, 54 of them could be able to support life.

Kepler chief scientist William Borucki said 54 is “an enormous amount, an inconceivable amount,” reports the Daily Mail.

Using [..] Read the original article: here.

US teen’s ’solar death ray’ can melt anything from metal to concrete

SYDNEY – An aspiring teenage scientist in the US has created a solar death ray, out of thousands of mirrors, that can melt anything from metal to concrete.

Eric Jacqmain, 19, from Indiana, demonstrated the 90-dollar contraption in a YouTube clip and claims it offers the “power of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US teen’s ’solar death ray’ can melt anything from metal to concrete.

Amazon droughts alarm scientists

LONDON – The 2010 Amazon drought may have been even more devastating to the region’s rainforests than the unusual 2005 drought that was previously billed as a one-in-100 year event.

Analyses of rainfall across 5.3 million square km of Amazonia during the 2010 dry season shows that the drought was more widespread and severe than …. Read the original article  : Amazon droughts alarm scientists.

Expectations accelerate conscious perception: Study

WASHINGTON – Until now, neuroscientists assumed that the processes leading to conscious perception were rather rigid and that the timing did not vary.

However, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt have now demonstrated that the timing of this process, far from being rigid, is in fact variable.

When the brain possesses … Read : Expectations accelerate conscious perception: Study.

Drinking vegetable juice ‘can help people meet key dietary guidelines’

WASHINGTON – New studies have suggested that drinking V8 100 percent vegetable juice may be a simple way for people to increase their vegetable intake and may help them manage their weight.

A study, conducted by researchers at the University of California-Davis, found that adults who drank one, 8-ounce glass of vegetable juice each day, as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Drinking vegetable juice ‘can help people meet key dietary guidelines’.

Mechanism involved in breast cancer’s spread to bone uncovered

WASHINGTON – A team of Princeton University scientists has discovered a mechanism involved in breast cancer’s spread to bone, which may lead to a new treatment for the disease.

Cancer cells often travel throughout the body and cause new tumours in individuals with advanced breast cancer – a process called metastasis – commonly resulting in malignant …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mechanism involved in breast cancer’s spread to bone uncovered.

‘Googleganger’ is Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year

WELLINGTON – The term “googleganger”, which describes a person, who emerges among online search results for one’s own name, has been named as word of the year by the Macquarie Dictionary.

The term is a noun, meaning “a person with the same name as oneself, whose online references are mixed with one’s own among search results … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Googleganger’ is Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year.

Drug-abusers find it difficult to identify negative emotions

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of Granada have found that drug-abusers have difficulty in identifying negative emotions by their facial expression: wrath, disgust, fear and sadness.

Further, regular abuse of alcohol, cannabis and cocaine usually affects abusers’ fluency and decision-making. Consuming cannabis and cocaine negatively affects work memory and reasoning. Similarly, cocaine abuse is associated …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Drug-abusers find it difficult to identify negative emotions.

Boosting body’s immune system may hold key to HIV cure

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Australia have shown that boosting the immune system in mice can rid them of HIV-like infection.

The research team, led by Dr Marc Pellegrini from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, showed that a cell signaling hormone called interleukin-7 (IL-7) reinvigorates the immune response to chronic viral infection, allowing the host to …. Source  : Boosting body’s immune system may hold key to HIV cure.

NASA Discovers New Solar System

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- For all those who have been thinking so far, that Solar System is the only terrestrial body, where one can find similar planets like earth and Mars, would now be proved wrong. The Kepler Mission of NASA, has recently discovered the very first Earth-size planet candidates, and that too in …. Source article  : NASA Discovers New Solar System.

Sand dunes in Northern Mars actively changing

WASHINGTON – An investigation led by a Planetary Science Institute researcher has revealed that the avalanche faces of huge Martian sand dunes, long thought to be frozen in time on the distant planet, are being re-sculpted on a seasonal basis.

Candice Hansen, a senior scientist at PSI and lead author of a paper, said that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sand dunes in Northern Mars actively changing.

First stars in the universe weren’t as lonely as previously thought

WASHINGTON – Researchers from the Center of Astronomy at Heidelberg University, the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Garching, and The University of Texas at Austin have found that the first stars to form in the universe were not as lonely as previously believed.

The astrophysicists used state-of-the-art computer simulations to model the birth of …. Source article  : First stars in the universe weren’t as lonely as previously thought.

How Neolithic farmers and hunter-gatherers fought for space

WASHINGTON – A new research details a physical model, which can potentially explain how the spreading of Neolithic farmers was slowed down by the population density of hunter-gatherers.

Agricultural – or Neolithic – economics replaced the Mesolithic social model of hunter-gathering in the Near East about 10,000 years ago.

One of the most important socioeconomic changes in … Read more >>>.

Now, a confession app on iPhones, iPads approved by Catholic Church

WELLINGTON – A US company has come up with a confession app that claims to be the first of its kind to be approved by the Catholic Church.

Patrick Leinen, of the three-man team Little iApps, a company “with a Roman Catholic twist”, said his team had wanted to engage Catholics with new media in response [..] Read the original article: here.

Coming soon: ‘Smart Fence’ that recognizes threatening footsteps!

WASHINGTON – A new sensor system modelled after the human brain can help make security smarter by being able to distinguish between potential threats and normal disturbances.

The system, called ‘Smart Fence’, consists of small, low-powered devices that can be placed in the ground or attached to a fence, sending an alert wirelessly to a command … Read more : Coming soon: ‘Smart Fence’ that recognizes threatening footsteps!.

Chandigarh to host Rose Festival

CHANDIGARH – A three-day rose festival will be held at the Rose Garden here Feb 25-27, it was announced Friday.

The 39th edition of the festival will also see concerts, musical nights, comedy shows, ‘antakshri’, food streets and various competitions.
“Live performances by singers Hans Raj Hans, Priyani Vani and Mohit Chauhan and comedian Uday … Read : Chandigarh to host Rose Festival.

Rembrandt ‘mixed flour with paints’ for a thicker painting stroke

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt used wheat starch in some of his paint to achieve a thicker stroke.

Experts at the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage in Brussels reveal new insights into the techniques that Rembrandt experimented with as he created his masterpieces.

“The most striking result is undoubtedly the …. Read the original article  : Rembrandt ‘mixed flour with paints’ for a thicker painting stroke.

100mn-yr-old ancestor of carnivorous insect fossil reveals evolution stasis

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Illinois have found a 100 million-year-old fossil of the ancestor of a carnivorous, cricket-like insect that still live today in southern Asia, northern Indochina and Africa.

The discovery from a limestone fossil bed in north-eastern Brazil shows that the creature has undergone minimal evolutionary change since the Early Cretaceous …. Original article  : 100mn-yr-old ancestor of carnivorous insect fossil reveals evolution stasis.

Google Earth reveals almost 2000 ancient archaeo sites in Saudi Arabia

LONDON – Google Earth has revealed 1977 potential archaeological sites, including 1082 “pendants” – ancient tear-drop shaped tombs made of stone, in Saudi Arabia.

“It’s not the easiest country to break into,” New Scientist quoted David Kennedy from the University of Western Australia, who found the sites.

He compared the images with structures that Kennedy has seen …. Source  : Google Earth reveals almost 2000 ancient archaeo sites in Saudi Arabia.

Parrots ‘tend to be left handed’

LONDON – Just like humans, parrots too choose to use one side of their body more than the other – with more of them left handed, or left footed, according to Australian researchers.

They found that virtually all the parrots they studied prefer to use either their left eye and left foot, or right eye and … Original article on : Parrots ‘tend to be left handed’.

Thanks to ‘Goldilocks effect’, dinos left footprints at the perfect time

LONDON – A new study has found that thanks to something called a ‘Goldilocks effect,’ dinosaurs left lasting footprints only when conditions were just right.

“By using computer modelling, we were able to recreate the conditions involved when a 30-tonne animal makes a track,” the BBC quoted palaeontologist Dr Peter Falkingham at the University of Manchester, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Thanks to ‘Goldilocks effect’, dinos left footprints at the perfect time.

HPV vaccine also works for boys: Study

LONDON – A new multi-center study led by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and UCSF has revealed that the vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent 90 percent of genital warts in men when offered before exposure to the four HPV strains covered by the vaccine.

The four-year, international clinical trial, which also found a nearly …. Original article  : HPV vaccine also works for boys: Study.

7 new species of fish discovered

WASHINGTON – Using modern genetic analysis, combined with traditional examination of morphology, scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and the Ocean Science Foundation have discovered that what were once thought to be three species of blenny in the genus Starksia are actually 10 distinct species.

Starksia blennies, small (less than 2 inches) fish with elongated bodies, … Read more >>>.

Dating site uses pictures, names of 250,000 unsuspecting Facebook users

LONDON – A dating site has taken the personal information of 250,000 Facebook users and reproduced it without their knowledge.

The creators of Lovely-faces.com, Paolo Cirio and Alessandro Ludovic, use the names and photos of Facebook members and then give users the option to “arrange a date” with the unsuspecting volunteers.

It then leads the users …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jumping genes may tell why people have varied looks, disease risks

WASHINGTON – A Johns Hopkins study has identified ‘jumping genes’ in humans that may one day explain why people have such varied physical traits and disease risks.

Using bioinformatics to compare the standard assembly of genetic elements, the team revealed 1,016 new insertions of RIPs, or retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms, thereby expanding the catalog of insertions that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Jumping genes may tell why people have varied looks, disease risks.

New iPhone app lets you spot skin cancer

LONDON – Your iPhone can be turned into a skin cancer detection gadget with the help of a new product available on the market known as Handyscope.

The remarkable new tool plugs into the Apple smartphone and using an app converts it into a dermatascope – which doctors use when looking for melanoma.

The device uses …. Original article  : New iPhone app lets you spot skin cancer.

Couples’ way of talking can predict relationship success

WASHINGTON – People who speak in similar styles are more compatible, according to a new study.

People tend to be attracted to, date, and marry other people who resemble themselves in terms of personality, values, and physical appearance. However, these features only skim the surface of what makes a relationship work. The ways that people talk … Read more »».

Unemployed people ’suffer from health problems more often’

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that compared to people in employment, men and women who are unemployed suffer more often and longer from both physical and emotional complaints.

The GEDA study (Gesundheit in Deutschland Aktuell, or Current Health in Germany) was carried out in 2008-2009 by the Robert Koch Institute.

The results showed that …. Source article  : Unemployed people ’suffer from health problems more often’.

Polygamous mice ‘have more fertile offspring’

WASHINGTON – A new study in mice has suggested that multiple partners may be the key to agile sperm that get the job done.

Researchers Renee Firman and Leigh Simmons at the University of Western Australia found that after only 12 generations, mice brought up in a polygamous mating group developed stronger and faster sperm and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Polygamous mice ‘have more fertile offspring’.

Why aliens never get in touch with us

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has said that no matter how much we try to contact extra terrestrial life, we may never get any response because we are going about it all wrong.

Humans began sending messages into space, starting in 1994 with transmission sent using the Arecibo radio telescope to a star cluster 25,000 … Read more : Why aliens never get in touch with us.

New study explains how brain knows what the nose smells

LONDON – We know that a scent picked up by nose receptors travels to the brain, but how the brain processes these smells has never been explained until now.

Stanford researchers used a new technique that makes it possible to map long-distance nerve connections in the brain.

The technique mapped for the first time the path that … Original source on Gaea Times at : New study explains how brain knows what the nose smells.

Kids who regularly text message ‘have better literacy skills’

LONDON – Scientists have claimed that children who are fluent at text messaging have better literacy skills than youngsters who do not use mobile phones.

Researchers discovered that rather than destroying their use of English, texting improves children’s ability to recognise rhymes and speech patterns.

The ten-year study, funded by the British Academy, examined the effect of … Read more : Kids who regularly text message ‘have better literacy skills’.

NASA to reveal first views of the entire Sun on super Sun-day

WASHINGTON – For the first time, NASA is all set to release of the first complete view of the Sun’s entire surface and atmosphere on at 11 a.m. EST on Sunday, Feb 6.

The views will enable significant advances in space weather forecasting for Earth, and improve planning for future robotic or crewed spacecraft missions throughout …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NASA to reveal first views of the entire Sun on super Sun-day.

‘World’s first astronomers’ Aborigines created a sundial 10,000yrs ago

LONDON – A new find from Australia has suggested that ancient Aboriginal tribes were the world’s first astronomers.

Scientists at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Canberra discovered a pile of old rocks laid out in a particular manner to map the progress of the sun – to create a primitive form of sundial.

“These …. Original source  : ‘World’s first astronomers’ Aborigines created a sundial 10,000yrs ago.

Scientists find gene critical in protection against some heart diseases

WASHINGTON – Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have found a gene which is critical to heart function.

In mice that were predisposed to dilated cardiomyopathy, the team found that the gene was absent.

The big discovery came when the researchers were able to prevent the mice from developing the disease … Original article on : Scientists find gene critical in protection against some heart diseases.

Google receives a staggering 75,000 job applications in one week

LONDON – As Google launches a huge recruitment spree, the Internet giant received as many as 75,000 job applications in a week, it has emerged.

Previously, the company, based in Mountain View, California, held a record for the highest number of job applications when they hired a raft of new workers in May 2007.

But the latest …. Source  : Google receives a staggering 75,000 job applications in one week.

Social and emotional learning programs boost students’ skills

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that social and emotional learning programs improve students’ attitudes and behaviors, and in some cases, even boost academic performance.

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago analysed more than 200 school-based social and emotional learning programs for the study.

In the first large-scale meta-analysis of … Read more >>>.

Stone-age era fertility artifact of ‘woman with spread legs’ found in Poland

WASHINGTON – A Stone-Age era artifact carved with multiple zigzags and what appears to be a woman with spread legs has been found in Poland.

The discovery suggests that fertility rituals may have been important to early Europeans.

Nearly 10,900 years old object, made out of a large elk antler and has been radiocarbon dated to, …. Read the original article  : Stone-age era fertility artifact of ‘woman with spread legs’ found in Poland.

Clear, bright morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites woke up to a bright and clear Saturday morning as the minimum temperature touched 11.1 degrees Celsius, three notches above average for this time of the season.

The morning was warm with clear skies. The sky is expected to be partly cloudy towards the evening, an official of the India Meteorological …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clear, bright morning in Delhi.

Giffords’ husband resumes command of US space shuttle

WASHINGTON – The astronaut husband of a US congresswoman shot in Arizona last month has resumed his command of a space shuttle flight due to launch in April, the space agency NASA said Friday.

Astronaut Mark Kelly had been on leave since Jan 8, when his wife Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Giffords’ husband resumes command of US space shuttle.

Russia to unveil air defence system at Indian air show

Moscow, Feb 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian firm will disclose information about a new mobile short-range air defence system based on the Strelets launcher at the upcoming Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore.

“The (Kolomna-based) Engineering Design Bureau will present for the first time details of a new ultra short-range air defence system based …. Source  : Russia to unveil air defence system at Indian air show.

Computers can intuit for people: Google chief

LONDON – In 50 years, computers will be able to intuit for people, Eric Schmidt, the chief of internet search engine giant Google, predicts.

“There will be a ubiquitous computational capability so amazing that people will assume that it is an assistant. It knows who you are, it knows what you do, it makes suggestions, … Read more »».

Bottle-feeding linked to tooth decay in infants

MELBOURNE -In wake of rising rates of severe tooth decay in infants as young as 12 months, a leading children’s hospital in Australia has urged parents to stop bottle-feeding their babies.

According to Children’s Hospital at Westmead, prolonged feeding with bottles of breast milk and … Original article on : Bottle-feeding linked to tooth decay in infants.

Wind blows 12 times faster than sound in biggest wind tunnel

LONDON – The world’s biggest wind tunnel can generate a windspeed that is 12 times that of sound.

Journalists were offered a glimpse of the 24-metre-girth steel tubes at the National Centre for Aeropsace Research (Onera), where propellers, weighing over a tonne each, power the huge gusts of wind.
Despite their size, the fans [..] Read the original article: here.

Here’s how you can make this Valentine’s Day greener

WASHINGTON – Valentine’s Day is filled with cards, sweets, flowers and gifts, but its celebrations can create unintentional environmental side effects.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case this time, say experts.

“It is possible to have a special, perhaps even more creative and memorable than usual, Valentine’s Day celebration while still being environmentally responsible,” said …. Original article  : Here’s how you can make this Valentine’s Day greener.

Plants ‘can cause a garden variety of pesky skin problems’

WASHINGTON – Dermatologists have come up with preventative tips for gardeners after seeing how common plants can leave their mark on the skin and cause a host of mild to even severe skin reactions.

Dermatologist Julian J. Trevino, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, discussed …. Source  : Plants ‘can cause a garden variety of pesky skin problems’.

Race to reach Antarctica’s buried Lake Vostok ‘nearly over’

WASHINGTON – Russian scientists are on the brink of revealing the secrets of Lake Vostok – they are left with only 20 meters (164 feet) away to hit their goal depth.

Vostok is a sub-glacial lake in Antarctica, hidden some 4,000m (13,000ft) beneath the ice sheet.

Russia’s Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute has been overseeing the …. Source  : Race to reach Antarctica’s buried Lake Vostok ‘nearly over’.

Giant ray gun to control unruly prisoners in US

WASHINGTON – A giant beam-emitting weapon that triggers a painful burning sensation but apparently causes no tissue damage is being tested here to break up fights between prison inmates.

Officials at the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department are currently testing the weapon.
According to Christian Science Monitor, officials plan to set up the beam-emitting machine, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hills overlooking Manali get snow again

SHIMLA – Hills overlooking Himachal Pradeshs picturesque tourist resort of Manali saw another spell of snowfall Sunday but the entire state has been experiencing unusually high temperatures.

“The minimum temperature in the state recorded Sunday was four to seven degrees above the average for this time of the year mainly due to partly cloudy skies,” … Read more : Hills overlooking Manali get snow again.

How does brain sniff out a predator?

WASHINGTON – Mice fear the scent of a predator — but how do their brains sniff out that a cat is nearby?

It’s a complex process that starts with the scent being picked up by specific receptors in their noses. But until now it wasn’t clear exactly how these scent signals proceeded from the nose … Original article on : How does brain sniff out a predator?.

Little ants impact environment in big way

LONDON – Little ants impact the environment in a big way, thanks to their role as ‘ecosystem engineers’ and predators, a British study has found.

A University of Exeter study found that ants have two distinct effects on environment. They move soil by building nests and they affect the level of nutrients in the soil … Original article on : Little ants impact environment in big way.

China displays 54 million-year-old rabbit skull

BEIJING – A rabbit skull, believed to be about 54 million years old, has been put on display at a museum here.

The fossil is part of a special exhibition at the Paleozoological Museum to mark the Chinese Lunar Rabbit Year, which is being celebrated across the country.
The miniature skull, which can be seen …. Original source  : China displays 54 million-year-old rabbit skull.

A strong community protects adolescents from risky health behavior

WASHINGTON – It is well known that growing up poor increases a person’s likelihood of health problems as an adult, but a new study shows that being raised in a tight-knit community can help offset this disadvantage of poverty.

The study, led by a Cornell University environmental psychologist, found that poor adolescents who live in communities …. Read the original article  : A strong community protects adolescents from risky health behavior.

Chernobyl birds ‘have 5 percent smaller brains’

LONDON – A team of researchers has discovered that birds living around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear accident have 5 percent smaller brains, an effect directly linked to lingering background radiation.

The finding is based on a study of 550 birds belonging to 48 different species living in the region, reports the BBC.

Brain size was … Read more »».

New contraceptive jab for men gets thumbs up

LONDON – Women may soon be liberated from the burden of family planning, thanks to a contraceptive jab for men, which has proved successful in preventing unplanned pregnancies after tests in Scotland.

With no pregnancies reported in the Scottish arm of the international study in the past year, Edinburgh University researchers hope it could become a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Leisure ‘as important as keeping cholesterol levels in check’

WASHINGTON – When was the last time you had time for yourself doing things you really enjoyed? This is something you probably may not even remember owing to the fast paced life.

However, US researchers have suggested that leisure may be the best medicine for many people – from refreshing the mind and psychological well being … Read more >>>.

Good cops better than bad cops at getting confessions: Study

WASHINGTON – Police officers who use a soft approach are more likely to get a confession from a criminal than those who are rough with the suspects, according to a new research.

To gain a better understanding of why and how criminals admit to their crimes, forensic psychologist Michel St-Yves and lead author Nadine Deslauriers-Varin, both …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Good cops better than bad cops at getting confessions: Study.

Now, ’self-destructing’ SMSs to spell end to late-night drunken rants

LONDON – For anyone who has ever sent a text message in a hurry and then regretted later, here’s some good news: A ’self-destructing’ text message system could spell the end for the leaked sex message, or the embarrassing late-night drunken rant.

The messaging system, TigerText Inc, makes sure that once a text has … Read more : Now, ’self-destructing’ SMSs to spell end to late-night drunken rants.

Tiger, tiger burning bright in Goa’s forests

PANAJI – English poet William Blake’s “tyger” might continue to burn bright if a spark lit by young poets and artists at a poetry camp in Goa – with the animal as its theme – catches on, even as the wilds are threatened by illegal mining.

More than two centuries after Blake immortalised India’s alpha …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Atopic dermatitis is a strong precursor to food allergies

WASHINGTON – Increasing evidence indicates that atopic dermatitis is a precursor to allergic diseases rather than a consequence. And now, dermatologists are advising parents of infants and young children affected by this common skin condition to be aware of the potential for future food allergies.

Atopic dermatitis, one of the most common forms of eczema in …. Original source  : Atopic dermatitis is a strong precursor to food allergies.

Facebook bug that allows personal data access, phishing repaired

WASHINGTON – A Facebook security threat that would allow anyone to access your personal data has been repaired by the company.

The vulnerability was discovered by Rui Wang and Zhou Li. It enabled malicious websites to impersonate legitimate websites, and then obtain the same data access permissions on Facebook that those legitimate websites had received.

The bug …. Original article  : Facebook bug that allows personal data access, phishing repaired.