Science News – Newsletter for February 16, 2011

A helpful partner isn’t always helpful

WASHINGTON – A loving partner may or may not help you keep on track — say when you want to stick to your jogging or your studies.

According to a new study, sometimes, the support a significant other offers in pursuing goals can weaken the resolve to work towards those goals and cause procrastination … Read more >>>.

Rising seas to affect major US coastal cities by 2100

WASHINGTON – Rising sea levels could threaten an average nine percent of the land within 180 US coastal cities by 2100, a new study says.

The research, led by University of Arizona scientists, is the first analysis of the vulnerability of US coastal cities to rising sea levels.
The latest scientific projections indicate that by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rising seas to affect major US coastal cities by 2100.

A helpful partner may not that helpful when it comes to achieving goals

WASHINGTON – If you think that a loving partner helps keep you on track when it comes to achieving goals, you could be wrong.

A new study has suggested that thinking about the support a significant other offers in pursuing goals can undermine the motivation to work toward those goals-and can increase procrastination before getting down … Read : A helpful partner may not that helpful when it comes to achieving goals.

Ecstasy use does not decrease mental ability: Study

WASHINGTON – In contrast to many prior studies, ecstasy users in a new study showed no signs of cognitive impairment attributable to drug use.

Lead author John Halpern of the McLean Hospital in Belmont, said, “Researchers have known for a long time that earlier studies of ecstasy use had problems that later studies should try to …. Read the original article  : Ecstasy use does not decrease mental ability: Study.

Scientists create device that remotely blasts improvised land mines

WASHINGTON – Scientists at EPFL in Switzerland have created a new device that enables the remote explosion of land mines using energy from their electromagnetic impulses.

This type of mine is often used by guerrillas or terrorist groups in conflict zones and can kill or mutilate hundreds of thousands of people every year, mainly civilians.

Felix Vega …. Original source  : Scientists create device that remotely blasts improvised land mines.

How video games can reveal a child’s core competencies

WASHINGTON – A researcher from Florida State University has presented an approach wherein a learning experience can be made more enjoyable by creating video games into which educational content and assessment tools have been surreptitiously added – and to incorporate such games into school curricula.

Valerie J. Shute believes that this would not only remain a … Read more »»».

Why problem drinking during adolescence is never ‘just a phase’

WASHINGTON – A new study of Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) has found that problem drinking during adolescence is never just a phase.

Researchers used adolescent RAPI scores to examine diagnoses of alcohol dependence during young adulthood and found that more drinking-related problems experienced at age 18 were associated with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence at …. Original source  : Why problem drinking during adolescence is never ‘just a phase’.

Gene study uncovers clues to memory and learning

WASHINGTON – Scientists have explored the function of a single gene that governs how neurons form new connections.

The study has not only uncovered clues to memory and learning, but has also provided insights into a form of mental retardation.

Scientists at the Duke University Medical Centre explored the gene WRP’s functions in the brain cell … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gene study uncovers clues to memory and learning.

How diets high in fish oil fight Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found how diets high in Omega 3 oils and low in cholesterol fight Alzheimer’s.

Daniel Michaelson of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Neurobiology at the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences found that APOE-one of the five molecules that are known to affect or cause Alzheimer’s disease and created by the … Read more »»».

Halting emissions would still make earth warmer

WASHINGTON – If greenhouse gas emissions stopped now, the earth would still likely get warmer.

While governments debate about potential policies that might curb the emission of greenhouse gases, new research shows that the world is already committed to a warmer climate because of emissions that have occurred till now.
Temperatures would continue to escalate … Read more >>>.

What’s your computing style? Know from smartphone

WASHINGTON – The applications you add to your smartphone can define you as a specific “appitypes”, says a technology expert.

Trevor Pinch, professor of science and technology studies at the Cornell University in US, used survey data on applications usage from 5,000 smartphone users in 10 countries to create appitypes to help define user …. Original source  : What’s your computing style? Know from smartphone.

Peer support shows promise in the fight against depression

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that peer support offers promise as an effective, low-cost tool for fighting depression.

In the research, programs in which patients and volunteers share information were found to reduce depression symptoms better than traditional care alone and were about as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy.

The study performed by the VA …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Peer support shows promise in the fight against depression.

Poor sleep quality linked to greater disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that poor sleep quality is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, greater pain severity, increased fatigue, and greater functional disability in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

The study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing suggests that addressing sleep problems via pharmacological or behavioral interventions may have a …. Read the original article  : Poor sleep quality linked to greater disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Turning mosquito bites into anti-malarial shots

WASHINGTON – Researchers could be turning the mosquito bite into a tool to wipe out the deadly disease malaria.

PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), established with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be collaborating with Tulane University in the US to produce and test a novel vaccine that aims to inoculate … Read more >>>.

Heart’s response to early beat can predict cardiac death risk

WASHINGTON – A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that the manner in which the heart responds to an early beat is predictive of cardiac death, even in seemingly healthy people.

Doctors are in a constant search for better ways to identify patients at risk of cardiac death because … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Heart’s response to early beat can predict cardiac death risk.

Novo-G world’s fastest reconfigurable supercomputer

WASHINGTON – University of Florida’s supercomputer Novo-G is the world’s fastest reconfigurable supercomputer and outperforms the Chinese supercomputer touted as the world’s most powerful.

Novo-G is about the size of two home refrigerators and consumes less than 8,000 watts, unlike conventional supercomputers that can consume up to millions of watts of electrical power, generating massive … Read more »»».

More snowfall, rain in Himachal

SHIMLA – Snowfall in the higher reaches and intermittent rain in low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh continued for the fourth day Wednesday, intensifying a cold wave.

Incessant rain across the state partially hampered the air traffic. “Flights from Delhi to Shimla and Dharamsala were as per schedule but could not be operational at …. Source  : More snowfall, rain in Himachal.

Now, access Facebook on your mobile phone at the touch of a button!

LONDON – Now, just press a button on your mobile phone and it will connect you to your Facebook account.

Mobile phone giant HTC has launched two handsets that will allow owners to access the social networking site at the touch of a button, reports the Daily Mail.

By pressing the ‘F’ logo, users will be able … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Now, access Facebook on your mobile phone at the touch of a button!.

Thick disc of older stars discovered in nearby Andromeda galaxy

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified for the first time a thick stellar disc in the Andromeda galaxy, the nearest large spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way.

According to an international team of astronomers, who conducted the study, the finding will lead to better understanding of the processes involved in the formation and evolution of large …. Original source  : Thick disc of older stars discovered in nearby Andromeda galaxy.

Taps run dry for third day in parts of Delhi

NEW DELHI – People in parts of the capital suffered from a water crunch for the third consecutive day Wednesday as supplies remained affected due to a high level of ammonia in the Yamuna waters.

The water supply was hit in north, north west, central and parts of west and south Delhi as two … Read : Taps run dry for third day in parts of Delhi.