Science News – Newsletter for February 13, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Researchers map how ice sheets shrank during Ice Age

LONDON – Researchers have mapped for the first time how the last British ice sheet shrank during the Ice Age.

The maps record the pattern and speed of shrinkage of the large ice sheet that covered the British Isles during the Ice Age, approximately 20,000 years ago.
Led by Chris Clark, a geographer at the …. Read the original article : Researchers map how ice sheets shrank during Ice Age.

Mars-500 crew ‘lands’ on Red Planet during simulation

NEW DELHI – The crew of a simulated mission to Mars has landed on the ’surface’ of the Red Planet, as a part of the Mars-500 project.

“The simulated touchdown was successfully completed at noon Moscow time (1500 GMT),” said a spokesman for Russia’s Institute of Biomedical Problems, which is in charge of the joint project …. Original source : Mars-500 crew ‘lands’ on Red Planet during simulation.

Flotilla of spacecraft to give accurate space weather forecasts

LONDON – Space scientists from the UK may soon send a flotilla of spacecraft into orbit around the sun to provide an early warning system for the huge solar explosions that can interfere with electronic equipment on Earth and even influence our planet’s weather.

The scientists are hoping to send the spacecrafts to provide round-the-clock three-dimensional … Original article on : Flotilla of spacecraft to give accurate space weather forecasts.

Male animals can ’smell’ whether a potential partner is a virgin or not

LONDON – Many males are able to ’smell’ whether a potential female partner is a virgin, and if not, how many times she has mated, according to a new study on animals.

Scientists at the University of Western Australia have been trying to discover how important smell may be to courting animals, reports the BBC.

They found …. Original source : Male animals can ’smell’ whether a potential partner is a virgin or not.

Invasive plants can be good for eco-change

WASHINGTON – Contrary to prevailing belief, invasive plant species – introduced by humans – can also have positive ecological effects, new research has revealed.

Toms Carlo, assistant professor of Biology at Penn State University, and Jason Gleditsch, graduate student in Biology, studied how invasive fruiting plants affect ecosystems and how those effects can …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring lowers rate of infant mortality

WASHINGTON – The use of fetal heart rate monitors lowers the rate of infant mortality, according to a new study.

There have been a handful of small studies conducted in the past that looked at the effectiveness of fetal heart rate monitors, but none of them were large enough to be conclusive.

“There was some criticism within … Read more »»».

New research looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that structured and progressive treadmill walking and exercise programs for strength and balance yield similar results for patients one year after having stroke.

The study found that post-stroke, 52 percent of people who participate in either a physical therapy program that includes a walking program using a body-weight supported …. Source article on Gaea Times at : New research looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet.

Free web-based ordering of home test kits for STIs proves effective with youth

WASHINGTON – A new Johns Hopkins research has found that screening teens and young adults for sexually transmitted infections may best be achieved by making free, confidential home-kit testing available over the Internet.

The team has described the success of the program started in Baltimore in 2004 that lets men and women in their 20s or … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Free web-based ordering of home test kits for STIs proves effective with youth.

Liking for sweetness might help alcoholics kick the habit

LONDON – Alcoholics who have a sweet tooth are more likely to kick the habit using a common drug treatment, according to a new study.

Naltrexone, a drug that blocks opioid receptors in the brain, is used primarily to treat alcohol dependence, but is effective only in around 78 percent of people, reports New Scientist. …. Read the original article : Liking for sweetness might help alcoholics kick the habit.

Shane Warne ’slept with porn star while dating Elizabeth Hurley’

MELBOURNE – A porn star has claimed that Shane Warne had sex with her and sent her a series of lewd text messages at the same time his romance with Elizabeth Hurley grew.

According to the UK’s Sunday Mirror, the spin king sent Chloe Conrad, 26, a series of messages as his romance with Hurely blossomed.

“If …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Shane Warne ’slept with porn star while dating Elizabeth Hurley’.

Kids don’t mind sharing after working together

LONDON – Grown-ups have a sense of fair play, and now it seems that even young children do.

In a study, three-year-old kids shared with a peer the spoils after they worked together to earn a reward, even in situations where it would be easy for one child to keep all of them for … Read more »».

Rain, snow in Kashmir Valley, more expected

SRINAGAR – Kashmir Valley saw rain and snowfall for the second consecutive day Sunday and the weather office forecast more wet weather in the next two days.

“Rain and snow will lash many parts of the valley during the next two days as a Western disturbance is presently active over Jammu and Kashmir,” an official …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Clear skies, sunny day ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A sunny and warm Sunday greeted Delhiites with the minimum temperature settling four notches above the average at 13.6 degrees Celsius.

“The skies would be clear in the morning. The day is expected to be warm and sunny, said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“The maximum temperature would hover … Read more »»».

Mars probe mission ‘reaches’ Red Planet

Moscow, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The crew of Mars-500 project, which aims to investigate how humans cope with psychological and physiological stress on a lengthy spaceflight, landed on the “surface” of the Red Planet Saturday.

The six-man multi-national crew has been sealed since June inside a mocked-up spaceship without sun or fresh water.
“The simulated …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Alcohol kills 2.5mn a year: WHO

NEW DELHI – A World Health Organization (WHO) report, profiling 193 countries on alcohol controls, has concluded that alcohol approximately kills 2.5 million people in a year.

The report also indicated that young people were especially vulnerable to its harms, reports English.news.cn.

“One third of deaths (from alcohol) are among young people,” said Shekhar Saxena, director of …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Alcohol kills 2.5mn a year: WHO.

Oz scientists find 10,000-year-old stone carvings

WASHINGTON – Australian scientists have stumbled upon ancient stone carvings in an East Timorese cave dating back at least 10,000 years.

Though they had been looking for the fossilised remains of extinct giant rats, CSIRO’s Dr Ken Aplin accidentally saw the stylised face carvings in the limestone roof.

“One of our East Timorese colleagues was sitting up …. Source : Oz scientists find 10,000-year-old stone carvings.