Science News – Newsletter for February 18, 2011

Indian defence scientists develop bio-toilets for soldiers

BANGALORE – Indian defence scientists have recruited a small army of bacteria and harnessed solar power to build bio-toilets for managing the human waste of soldiers stationed at glaciers and other low temperature areas.

“Human waste disposal in high altitude and low temperature areas is a burning problem,” a spokesman for the Defence Research and …. Original source  : Indian defence scientists develop bio-toilets for soldiers.

Asthma linked to bacterial communities in the airway

WASHINGTON – A new UCSF-led study has found that asthma may have a surprising relationship with the composition of the species of bacteria that inhabit bronchial airways.

This finding could suggest new treatment or even potential cures for the common inflammatory disease.

Using new detection methods, researchers learned that the diversity of microbes inside the respiratory tract … Read more : Asthma linked to bacterial communities in the airway.

BP oil spill’s psychological effects go beyond residents of impacted areas

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the psychological effects of the BP oil spill, the largest recorded environmental disaster in human history, extend far beyond people living around the areas of the Gulf of Mexico that were directly impacted by the spill.

The researchers reported that even in areas that did not have oil … Original article on : BP oil spill’s psychological effects go beyond residents of impacted areas.

Preterm mums’ milk has less antioxidants

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that preterm mother’s milk contains lower concentrations of coenzyme Q10-an important antioxidant and a vital component of the electron transport chain.

Researchers at the University of Granada and at the University Hospital San Cecilio took a sample of 30 nursing mothers, of which 15 had completed their gestation and … Read more >>.

Exercise, helping others can be as effective as drugs to treat mental illnesses

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that lifestyle changes-such as getting more exercise, time in nature, or helping others-can be as effective as drugs or counseling to treat an array of mental illnesses.

Roger Walsh of the University of California, Irvine’s College of Medicine said that multiple mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, could … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Exercise, helping others can be as effective as drugs to treat mental illnesses.

New study reinforces belly fat, high-fat meals and heart disease link

WASHINGTON – A new UC Davis study has suggested that the effect of a high-fat meal on blood vessel walls varies among individuals depending on factors such as their waist size and triglyceride levels.

The new research reinforces the link between belly fat, inflammation and thickening of the arterial linings that can lead to heart disease …. Original article  : New study reinforces belly fat, high-fat meals and heart disease link.

Now, brain-powered machines to become more intelligent, user-friendly

|Cheryl Cole’s pictures used to promote Russian bride business, porn|Entertainment[London {LONDON – Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole is said to be furious after a Russian website used pictures of hers to promote their mail order bride business.

Cheryl, 27, has been featured as one of the many women seeking a husband on website RussianBrides.org, and in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Focus on how, not why, to increase physical activity

WASHINGTON – In a new study, University of Missouri researchers found that healthy adults who received interventions focused on behavior-changing strategies significantly increased their physical activity levels.

However, interventions based on cognitive approaches, which try to change knowledge and attitudes, did not improve physical activity.

“The focus needs to shift from increasing knowledge about the benefits of … Read more »»».

Meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers, ultrasonic French fries!

WASHINGTON – Nathan Myhrvold believes that cooking is not just an art, but a science too – meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers and ultrasonic French fries.

Author of 2,400-page, 625-dollar self-published book, ‘Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking’, Myhrvold, a former technology chief for Microsoft, combines science and his culinary skills to … Read : Meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers, ultrasonic French fries!.

New green, cheap hydrogen cartridges to fuel laptops, phones

WASHINGTON – SiGNa Chemistry Inc. has created new hydrogen cartridges – a cheap, eco-friendly and portable solution to produce electric power for laptops and phones.

The source of these cartridges is called sodium silicide.

“In our lab, we were able to produce alkali metal silicides, which basically are made from sodium and silicon, which, in turn, are … Read more >>.

Out of body experiences are just tricks of a confused mind, say experts

LONDON – A new study has revealed that out of body experiences are nothing but tricks of a confused mind.

The study was able to ‘fool’ the brains of volunteers into temporarily believing they occupied a 3D computer-generated character.

“Instead of it being a spiritual thing, it is the brain being confused,” the Daily Mail quoted …. Original source  : Out of body experiences are just tricks of a confused mind, say experts.

Statins may prevent diabetic-related blindness

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that a statin drug that is often known by the brand-name Lipitor may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes.

In a study using diabetic rats, lead author Azza El-Remessy, assistant professor in the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, and her colleagues found that statins … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Statins may prevent diabetic-related blindness.

Higher levels of social activity cut the risk of developing disability in old age

WASHINGTON – Higher levels of social activity decrease the risk of developing disability in old age, according to a new study at Rush University Medical Center.

“Social activity has long been recognized as an essential component of healthy aging, but now we have strong evidence that it is also related to better everyday functioning and less … Original source on Gaea Times at : Higher levels of social activity cut the risk of developing disability in old age.

Archaeologists solve tower of Jericho puzzle?

LONDON – Discovered by archaeologists in 1952, a 28-foot-high stone tower on the edge of the town of Jericho has puzzled scientists since. But now, a team of archaeologists have shed light on who built the structure and why.

Tel Jericho, located in modern day Jericho in the West Bank, is one of the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Archaeologists solve tower of Jericho puzzle?.

Emotional response could predict how your body responds to stress

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that your emotional response to challenging situations could predict how your body responds to stress.

“People who reported high levels of anger and anxiety after performing a laboratory-based stress task showed greater increases in a marker of inflammation, than those who remained relatively calm,” said Dr Judith Carroll, who … Read more »».

Yale University scientists build world’s first anti-laser

WASHINGTON – Yale University scientists have developed the world’s first anti-laser, in which incoming beams of light interfere with one another in such a way as to perfectly cancel each other out.

The discovery could pave the way for a number of novel technologies with applications in everything from optical computing to radiology.

Conventional lasers, which were …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Yale University scientists build world’s first anti-laser.

Chronically ill kids ‘88pc more likely to suffer physical abuse’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that children with chronic health conditions are 88 percent more likely to suffer physical abuse than healthy children.

They are also 154 percent more likely to suffer a combination of physical abuse and exposure to intimate partner violence than their healthy school friends.

Researchers from Karlstad University, Sweden, analysed 2,510 … Original article on : Chronically ill kids ‘88pc more likely to suffer physical abuse’.

Sherlock Holmes book goes digital on iPhone, iPad

LONDON – Sherlock Holmes is back in the digital form, thanks to a French company, which has created a ‘Byook’ application for the iPhone and iPad, an ebook hybrid mixing text and effects.

‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band,’ one of the most-read Arthur Conan Doyle stories, has now been turned into an e-book that combines …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sherlock Holmes book goes digital on iPhone, iPad.

Male fertility is in the bones, shows mice study

WASHINGTON – A new study has discovered that the skeleton acts as a regulator of fertility in male mice through a hormone released by bone-osteocalcin.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center, led by Gerard Karsenty, found their first clue to an answer in the reproductive success of their lab mice. Previously, the researchers had observed that …. Source  : Male fertility is in the bones, shows mice study.

What makes Justin Beiber sound so unique?

WASHINGTON – Artists like Justin Beiber and Usher owe their unique sounding voices to the large social circles of their ancestors, says a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles.

According to Kimberly Pollard, the size of an animal’s social group helps to determine the uniqueness of that individual’s voice.

“Group size definitely matters here. … Read more »»».