Science News – Newsletter for February 11, 2011

Apple to launch smaller iPhone

SYDNEY – Apple is working on new versions of the iPhone that will be cheaper and smaller than the most recent ones, a media report said Friday.

The move is aimed at slowing the advance of competing handsets based on Google’s Android software, according to people who have been briefed on the plans.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Apple to launch smaller iPhone.

New evolutionary research knocks down living ‘missing link’ theory

WASHINGTON – The living ‘missing link’ theory has been knocked down by a new study that suggests some species evolve from more sophisticated ancestors.

“Aristotle was the first to classify organisms – from the least to the most sophisticated. Darwin’s theory of evolution continued this idea, with the concept of a hierarchy of evolution. This way … Original article on : New evolutionary research knocks down living ‘missing link’ theory.

Study linking diet soda to stroke risk is seriously flawed: Experts

WASHINGTON – The study presented during a poster session at the International Stroke Conference claiming an association between diet soft drink consumption and increased risk of stroke and heart attack is critically flawed, according to the Calorie Control Council.

“The findings are so speculative and preliminary at this point that they should be considered with extreme …. Source  : Study linking diet soda to stroke risk is seriously flawed: Experts.

Common insecticide used in homes delay mental development in kids

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that a common insecticide used in homes is associated with delayed mental development of young children.

Pyrethroid insecticides are commonly used in many homes but its safety remained unclear, as they had never been evaluated for long-term neurotoxic effects after low-level exposure.

Now, scientists at the Columbia University’s Mailman …. Read the original article  : Common insecticide used in homes delay mental development in kids.

How the brain compresses visual info

WASHINGTON – A Johns Hopkins study has shed light on how the brain compresses visual information to understand it.

A team, led by neuroscientists Ed Connor and Kechen Zhang, found that cells in area ‘V4,’ a midlevel stage in the primate brain’s object vision pathway, are highly selective for image regions containing acute curvature.

Experiments by doctoral … Read : How the brain compresses visual info.

Defensive military alliances promote peace: Study

WASHINGTON – A Rice University study has suggested that countries that enter into defense pacts with other nations are less likely to be attacked and attack others.

The study, co-authored by Ashley Leeds of the Rice University and Jesse Johnson, a Rice graduate student in political science, analysed defense agreements from 1816 to 2001 that covered …. Read the original article  : Defensive military alliances promote peace: Study.

44-year-old mystery resolved: Fleas jump from toes, not knees

WASHINGTON – A 44-year-old mystery about how fleas are able to jump so high has now been resolved – they push off the ground from their toes, not from their knees as previously thought.

While Henry Bennet-Clark in 1967 discovered that fleas store the energy needed to catapult them into the air in a pad made …. Read the original article  : 44-year-old mystery resolved: Fleas jump from toes, not knees.

The book ‘no one can read’ dates back to 15th century

WASHINGTON – Researchers have cracked one of the puzzles surrounding what has been called ‘the world’s most mysterious manuscript’ – the Voynich manuscript, a book filled with drawings and writings nobody has been able to make sense of till date.

Using radiocarbon dating, a team led by Greg Hodgins in the University of Arizona’s Department of … Original article on : The book ‘no one can read’ dates back to 15th century.

Dating other couples may improve your romantic relationship

WASHINGTON – Want to put the spark back in your romantic relationship? Start dating other couples, suggests a new study.

Romantic relationships often start out as enjoyable or even exciting, but sometimes may become routine and boring. A Wayne State University study has revealed that dating couples who integrate other couples into their social lives are …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Dating other couples may improve your romantic relationship.

Regular exercise improves overweight kids’ math skills

WASHINGTON – Georgia Health Sciences University researchers have found that regular exercise improves the ability of overweight, previously inactive children to think, plan and even do math.

They hope the findings in 171 overweight 7- to 11-year-olds – all sedentary when the study started – gives educators the evidence they need to ensure that regular, vigorous …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Lucy’ walked on two feet with human ancestors 3.2 mn-yrs ago

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that ‘Lucy’ or Australopithecus afarensis, a species that lived more than three million years ago, walked on two feets just like Homo Sapiens.

The University of Missouri and Arizona State University study could change scientists’ views of human evolution.

Carol Ward, an MU researcher and William Kimbel and Donald …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Lucy’ walked on two feet with human ancestors 3.2 mn-yrs ago.

How to beat craving for chocolates

SYDNEY – Craving for chocolate and don’t know how to beat it? The first thing you need to do is learn to acknowledge and accept the yearning, suggests a new study.

“If you stop fighting and … accept something it loses its influence and power over your life,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted psychologist and CSIRO … Read this article on Gaea Times at : How to beat craving for chocolates.

Love really can last a lifetime

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered why some people cheat in relationships while others’ love remains intense even after years? Now, science tells you why.

A new study has found that when these intensely-in-love-people see pictures of their beloved, their brains respond in an area associated with deeply rewarding and motivating feelings-one of the same areas that lights … Original article on : Love really can last a lifetime.

DNA tests may also inadvertently reveal incest

LONDON – Baylor College of Medicine researchers using DNA microarrays to identify developmental disabilities or congenital anomalies in kids unexpectedly found that some have been conceived through incest.

This has raised social and legal issues that institutions and the scientific community must address.

“We have discussed these issues with legal and ethics experts at Baylor and Texas … Original article on : DNA tests may also inadvertently reveal incest.

Eyewitness accounts aren’t as reliable as previously thought

LONDON – Eyewitnesses likelihood of giving false information about any crime in subsequent retellings increases if they had described the offence to someone just after it occurred, according to a new study.

The finding attains significance as it suggests that eyewitness accounts of crimes can be untrustworthier than earlier believed.

“In a real-life situation, if you’re an … Read : Eyewitness accounts aren’t as reliable as previously thought.

Now, Facebook launches its own phone

LONDON – The once-rumoured Facebook phone is all set to launch in the UK market.

The website first created for Harvard students in 2004 eventually became a vast global community with 500 million members.

Now, a British mobile phone maker has collaborated with the social networking site to launch the first ‘Facebook phone’, reports the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, Facebook launches its own phone.

Looking at your body can reduce pain

WASHINGTON – Most people prefer to look away when they know something is going to hurt. However, a new research has suggested that watching during a painful procedure such as an injection can actually make it hurt less.

Simply looking at your body reduces pain, according the new study by scientists from UCL (University College London) … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Looking at your body can reduce pain.

Misty yet sunny morning in Delhi, slight chill remains

NEW DELHI – A misty yet sunny morning greeted Delhiites Friday, but the minimum temperature plummeted to 9.1 degrees Celsius – a notch below the average for the season.

“Mist and shallow fog in the morning will be followed by a sunny day. The day is expected to be warm,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) …. Read the original article  : Misty yet sunny morning in Delhi, slight chill remains.

Technology in human trials to spot cardiac disease, cancer, drug abuse

WASHINGTON – Rice University scientists have come up with a new microchip technology, which is expected to advance the art of diagnosis.

Cardiac disease is the focus of one of six ongoing major clinical trials of Rice’s programmable bio-nano-chips (PBNCs).

PBNCs combine microfluidics, nanotechnology, advanced optics and electronics to enable quick, painless diagnostic tests …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Technology in human trials to spot cardiac disease, cancer, drug abuse.

Microsponges from seaweed may help diagnose diseases quickly

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that microsponges derived from seaweed may help diagnose heart disease, cancers, HIV and other diseases quickly and at far lower cost than current clinical methods.

The microsponges are an essential component of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Microsponges from seaweed may help diagnose diseases quickly.