Science News – Newsletter for February 17, 2011

Statins may help fight HIV

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that statins may slow down the progression of HIV infection.

In a recent multicenter clinical trial of atorvastatin, a type of cholesterol-lowering drug, the researchers found that although the drug did not inhibit plasma HIV RNA levels, it did inhibit expression of cellular markers of immune activation and inflammation in patients …. Read the original article  : Statins may help fight HIV.

1 in 5 homeless people with TB die within a year of their diagnosis: Toronto study

WASHINGTON – A new study in Toronto has found that one in five homeless people with tuberculosis die within a year of their diagnosis.

And that number remains unchanged over the last decade despite recommendations calling for greater improvements in prevention and control of tuberculosis in homeless shelters.

The 10-year study, led by St. Michael’s Hospital’s Kamran …. Read the original article  : here.

Water softeners ‘do not bring relief for kids with eczema’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have shown that installing a water softener for three months brings no additional relief for eczema sufferers.

The study involving 336 children aged between six months and 16 years old was carried out by The University of Nottingham.

Up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one … Read more >>>.

Kids as young as 5 can learn to use computer mouse

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that children as young as 5 years old can learn how to use a computer mouse.

While age is an important component in determining how well a child controls a mouse, the study also found that how frequently a child practices may be even more important.

“Learning how to use …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Two thirds of permafrost likely to melt by 2200

WASHINGTON – Two-thirds of permafrost is likely to melt by 2200, thanks to global warming which will loft vast quantities of carbon into the air.

“The carbon resides in permanently frozen ground that is beginning to thaw at high latitudes, will impact not only the climate but also strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions,” … Original source on Gaea Times at : Two thirds of permafrost likely to melt by 2200.

New alloy to boost energy conversion by 25 percent

WASHINGTON – Automobiles, and even large-scale power generating facilities may someday operate far more efficiently thanks to a new alloy that enables a 25 percent improvement in the ability of a key material to convert heat into electrical energy.

The alloy was developed by US Department of Energy’s Ames Lab.
“What happened here … Original article on : New alloy to boost energy conversion by 25 percent.

Babies can count from 18 months of age: Study

MELBOURNE – A new research has revealed that kids begin to learn to count earlier than previously thought.

For the study, Professor Virginia Slaughter of the University of Queensland, and colleagues from Japan and the United Kingdom, assessed how babies responded to videos of counting, and found a dramatic cognitive shift by the time they reached … Read : Babies can count from 18 months of age: Study.

‘Promiscuous’ chimps produce more sperm

LONDON – Scientists based in Japan have revealed that chimpanzees produce 200 times more sperm than gorillas, the world’s largest primates, and 14 times more than orangutans.

Promiscuous ape species have bigger testicles, and the new finding provides evidence that they also produce more sperm.

Earlier, scientists proposed that chimps have large testicles because several males mate [..] Read the original article: here.

Humans and dolphins ‘talk’ using primitive language in new study

LONDON – In a first, behavioural biologists were able to ‘talk’ with dolphins through a primitive form of language using sounds.

“Many studies communicate with dolphins, especially in captivity, using fish as a reward. But it’s rare to ask dolphins to communicate with us,” the Daily Mail quoted Dr Denise Herzing as telling Wired.com.

The experiment revolved …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Humans and dolphins ‘talk’ using primitive language in new study.

Twitter, Facebook leave people ‘more lonely’

LONDON – Social media leaves many people feeling lonely, alienated and dissatisfied with life, according to American author Sherry Turkle.

In her new book ‘Alone Together’, Prof Turkle from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) argues that despite the advent of social networking sites and text messaging our intimate relationship with technology has not translated into closer …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Twitter, Facebook leave people ‘more lonely’.

Being pessimistic may lower painkiller’s effectiveness: Study

LONDON – A patient’s attitude may affect how well his/ her pain medication works, according to a new study.

It found that being optimistic might boost their effectiveness in blocking pain, while being pessimistic may lower their effectiveness, reports the BBC.

The study also identified the brain regions that are associated with pain.

The researchers used [..] Read the original article: here.

Finding a way to extend tomato shelf life

WASHINGTON – Scientists at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working with colleagues at Purdue University to extend the shelf life of tomatoes.

The research also may lead to tomatoes that taste better and are more nutritious.

Tomatoes spend so much time on shelves and in refrigerators that an estimated 20 percent are lost to spoilage, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Finding a way to extend tomato shelf life.

‘Killer paper’ could improve food safety

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed and successfully tested a new food packaging material that has the ability to preserve food by fighting the bacteria that cause spoilage.

The ‘killer paper’ contains a coating of silver nanoparticles that kills E. coli and S. aureus, two causes of bacterial food poisoning, in just three hours.

This suggests its potential …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Killer paper’ could improve food safety.

Why some people find it difficult to wake up in the morning

LONDON – Scientists at Northwestern University have found a new mechanism in the core gears of the circadian clock.

They have discovered that the loss of a certain gene, dubbed “twenty-four,” messes up the rhythm of the common fruit fly’s sleep-wake cycle, making it harder for the flies to awaken.

The circadian clock drives, among other things, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Why some people find it difficult to wake up in the morning.

Why males have a higher incidence of autism than females

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that male and female sex hormones regulate expression of an important gene in neuronal cell culture through a mechanism that could explain not only higher levels of testosterone observed in some individuals with autism, but also why males have a higher incidence of autism than females.

The gene, RORA, encodes a … Original article on : Why males have a higher incidence of autism than females.

Japanese embassy in China launches micro blog

BEIJING – The Japanese embassy in Beijing has launched a micro blog that has attracted over 5,000 fans in just two days.

Japanese Ambassador Uichiro Niwa said the micro blog will give details about his schedule as well as activities related to Sino-Japanese ties.
“The general public is the important part of the bilateral relationship, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japanese embassy in China launches micro blog.

Fresh snow freezes Shimla at 0.6 degrees

SHIMLA – The season’s third snowfall here in Himachal Pradesh froze the “Queen of Hills’, as Shimla was fondly called by the British, at a minimum of 0.6 degrees Celsius Thursday.

Shimla had recorded 4.8 cm of snow Wednesday evening and the minimum temperature was 2.4 degrees.
Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district, …. Original source  : Fresh snow freezes Shimla at 0.6 degrees.

Herschel reveals how much dark matter it takes to form new galaxy

WASHINGTON – The Herschel Space Observatory has measured how much dark matter is required in order to form a new galaxy.

“If you start with too little dark matter, then a developing galaxy would peter out. If you have too much, then gas doesn’t cool efficiently to form one large galaxy, and you end up with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Facebook friends ‘can stress you out’

LONDON – The more Facebook ‘friends’ you have, the more likely you are to feel stressed out by the social networking site, according to a new study.

Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have found a significant minority of users suffered “considerable Facebook-related anxiety”.

However, they only received very modest rewards.

More than one in 10 said Facebook made … Original source on Gaea Times at : Facebook friends ‘can stress you out’.

Greenhouse emissions led to increase in extreme rains, says study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that high greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to increase in extreme rain events seen in North America over the second half of the 20th century.

Another study reported that human greenhouse gas emissions likely contributed to the floods that inundated England and Wales in the fall of 2000.

How does [..] Read the original article: here.