Science News – Newsletter for February 8, 2011

Facebook founder obtains restraining order against Indian-origin ’stalker’

WASHINGTON – Mark Zuckerberg, founder of the social networking site Facebook, has obtained a restraining order against a man who he says has been stalking him.

The 26-year-old filed legal papers claiming Californian Pradeep Manukonda, 31, tried to ‘follow, surveil and contact Mr. Zuckerberg using language threatening his personal safety.’

According to the papers, Zuckerberg fears for … Read : Facebook founder obtains restraining order against Indian-origin ’stalker’.

Diarrhea-causing bacteria turned into antiviral gene therapy agent

WASHINGTON – New studies conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, could one day lead to anti-viral treatments that involve swallowing Salmonella bacteria, effectively using one bug to stop another.

The researchers have reprogrammed Salmonella, the same foodborne pathogen that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, to safely transport virus-stopping enzymes into cells … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Diarrhea-causing bacteria turned into antiviral gene therapy agent.

Immune cells that act as ‘body’s border patrol’ identified

WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified an immune cell population that acts as the body’s border patrol with the outside world and limit the inner body’s exposure to allergens, pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

David Artis of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Gregory F. Sonnenberg of the Artis lab discovered that these lymphoid tissue [..] Read the original article: here.

Real-time ‘eco-driving’ can cut fuel consumption up to 6pc

WASHINGTON – Do you know how much fuel can be saved by avoiding stop-and-go traffic, closing your window and not using air conditioning? Well, a new study has all the answers for you.

A University of California, Riverside’s College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) research studied a field called eco-driving, which refers …. Original article  : Real-time ‘eco-driving’ can cut fuel consumption up to 6pc.

A billion SMSes sent in a single day in Beijing

BEIJING – About one billion text messages were sent in Beijing Wednesday on the eve of the Spring Festival. But, many who received the numerous messages were not amused, with one user saying: “There are so many! I felt touched at first, then just burdened to even have to read them”.

China’s major mobile phone …. Original article  : A billion SMSes sent in a single day in Beijing.

Chandigarh to get Garden of Springs

CHANDIGARH – Giving a boost to Chandigarh’s tourism infrastructure, the union tourism ministry has sanctioned a grant of over Rs.3.1 crore to set up a “Garden of Springs” here in Sector 53, a senior official said Tuesday.

Chandigarh, which was designed by legendary French architect Le Corbusier in 1950s, is famous across the world for … Read more »».

Cockroaches inspiration behind future robots

LONDON – Ask anyone who has ever tried to squash a skittering cockroach – they’re masters of quick and precise movement. And scientists are now trying to incorporate this feature in robots of the future.

Prof. Amir Ayali, zoologist at Tel Aviv University in Israel, says the study of cockroaches has already inspired advanced robotics. … Read more : Cockroaches inspiration behind future robots.

Eco-driving helps cut oil consumption

WASHINGTON – You can save fuel by avoiding stop-and-go traffic, closing your window, not using air-conditioning or coasting toward halts — basically what is coming up as eco-driving.

Research at the University of California Riverside’s College of Engineering Centre for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) can give you the answers.
The research field is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Language makes humans smarter than chimps

WASHINGTON – With extensive systems of governance and global cooperative networks in place, we probably think we are expert co-operators when compared with other animals or even relative primates, such as chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys.

But how much of this cooperation depends on our ability to speak? Apparently more than we would believe, reports ABC News. … Read more : Language makes humans smarter than chimps.

Change in heart rate keeps bears healthy while hibernating: Study

WASHINGTON – It seems hibernating is much more complicated than one might think.

A new study has provided crucial insight into the mysteries of the hibernating heart of a bear.

It found that a complex series of changes occur in bears’ hearts as they hibernate. These changes guard against complications that could arise from greatly reduced activity.

A …. Source  : Change in heart rate keeps bears healthy while hibernating: Study.

Genes of the immune system linked to increased risk of mental illness

WASHINGTON – A thesis from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, has revealed that genes linked to the immune system can affect healthy people’s personality traits as well as the risk of developing mental illness and suicidal behaviour.

Inflammation is part of the immune system and is responsible for defending humans against infection as well as …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Genes of the immune system linked to increased risk of mental illness.

Psychotic illness ‘begins at younger age among those who use cannabis’

WASHINGTON – Cannabis use is linked to an earlier onset of psychotic illness, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies.

“There is little doubt about the existence of an association between substance use and psychotic illness. National mental health surveys have repeatedly found more substance use, especially cannabis use, among people with a diagnosis … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Psychotic illness ‘begins at younger age among those who use cannabis’.

New discovery could lead to novel medicines for rheumatoid arthritis

WASHINGTON – An enzyme that protects against inflammation and joint destruction has been identified by a team of researchers at the University of Gotenburg, Sweden.

Made when the researchers blocked production of the enzyme GGTase-I in transgenic mice, this unexpected discovery could lead to the identification of new mechanisms that control the development of inflammatory disorders, …. Original article  : New discovery could lead to novel medicines for rheumatoid arthritis.

Popular students more likely to bully peers

WASHINGTON – Popular students are more likely to torment their peers, says a new study.

Our findings underscore that attaining and maintaining a high social status likely involves some level of antagonistic behaviour, said Robert Faris, assistant professor of sociology at University of California-Davis, the study co-author.
The study also finds that students in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Popular students more likely to bully peers.

Bt cotton in India ‘good for the field, bad for the farm’

WASHINGTON – A new study by a Washington University in St. Louis anthropologist has suggested that crop yields from Bt cotton may have been overemphasized, as modest rises in crop yields may come at the expense of sustainable farm management.

The study noted that most Indian farmers have become unable to properly assess the Bt cotton …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bt cotton in India ‘good for the field, bad for the farm’.

Cockroach ‘to fine-tune robots of the future’

WASHINGTON – Tel Aviv University researchers are using the maddening locomotive skills of cockroaches to improve robots of the future.

Amir Ayali of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Zoology said the study of cockroaches has already inspired advanced robotics. Robots have long been based on these six-legged houseguests, whose nervous system is relatively straightforward and easy …. Original source  : Cockroach ‘to fine-tune robots of the future’.

Sun exposure, vitamin D may lower multiple sclerosis risk

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that people who spend more time in the sun and those with higher vitamin D levels may be less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord, usually with recurrent flare-ups of symptoms. It is often preceded by a first …. Original source  : Sun exposure, vitamin D may lower multiple sclerosis risk.

Women involved in leisure activities consume less alcohol

WASHINGTON – A thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, reveals that women who are satisfied with everyday life and are involved in leisure activities rarely have problems with alcohol.

Occupational therapist Christina Andersson, who wrote the thesis, has looked at how everyday life affects alcohol consumption as part of the wider Women and Alcohol in …. Source article  : Women involved in leisure activities consume less alcohol.

Acupuncture and exercise benefit women with PCOS

WASHINGTON – New research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has revealed that acupuncture and physical exercise improve hormone levels and menstrual bleeding pattern in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a common disorder that affects up to 10 percent of all women of childbearing age.

Women with PCOS frequently have irregular ovulation and … Read more »».

Antipsychotics for schizophrenia linked to subtle loss in brain volume

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that patients with schizophrenia who take antipsychotic medications lose a small but measurable amount of brain tissue over time.

Progressive changes in brain volume observed in patients with schizophrenia have been thought to be an effect of the disease.

“However, recent animal studies indicate that antipsychotics, the mainstay of …. Source article  : Antipsychotics for schizophrenia linked to subtle loss in brain volume.