Science News – Newsletter for February 26, 2011

Punjab, Haryana have rains, mercury dips

CHANDIGARH – Various parts of Punjab, Haryana and their joint capital city Chandigarh received light to moderate rainfall Saturday morning, slightly dipping the temperature in this region.

The region also witnessed showers late Friday night. However, Met department officials have forecast clear weather and bright sun in the coming days.
“We had light to moderate …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Punjab, Haryana have rains, mercury dips.

Indonesian mud volcano ‘likely to continue erupting for another 26 yrs’

WASHINGTON – Researchers have estimated that the world’s largest mud volcano, which left 13,000 families homeless, is likely to continue erupting for another 26 years.

The volcano, in East Java, Indonesia, first erupted back in May 2006, and – at its peak – was spewing 180,000 cubic metres of mud a day, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indonesian mud volcano ‘likely to continue erupting for another 26 yrs’.

New mobile phone app ’spots cancer with 100pc accuracy in an hour’

LONDON – Scientists have developed a new mobile phone application that spots cancer – and is more accurate than the techniques routinely used in hospitals.

The smartphone-based system is up to 100 per cent accurate at telling the difference between benign tumours and their malignant counterparts, reports the … Read : New mobile phone app ’spots cancer with 100pc accuracy in an hour’.

Our willingness to listen to music is a biological trait

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have examined the biological basis of listening to music.

In the study of University of Helsinki and Sibelius-Academy, Helsinki, 31 Finnish families with 437 family members were examined. The participants of the study were …. Read the original article  : Our willingness to listen to music is a biological trait.

Here’s how 5,300-yr-old Otzi the Iceman looked

WASHINGTON – Based on 20 years of research, this is how Otzi the Iceman might have looked: brown eyed, furrow faced bearded, and tired.

Realized by two Dutch experts, Alfons and Adrie Kennis, the model was produced with the latest in forensic mapping technology that uses three-dimensional images of the mummy’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Here’s how 5,300-yr-old Otzi the Iceman looked.

Google revamps to keep ‘low-quality’ sites at bay

MELBOURNE – Google has made amendments in the way it ranks web pages as it has been struggling to combat websites that have been able to game its system.

The Internet giant has been under fire recently over the quality of its results.

Google said it changed its mathematical formula …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Google revamps to keep ‘low-quality’ sites at bay.

IAEA reports new intelligence on Iranian nuclear weapon

VIENNA – A solution for the Iranian nuclear standoff moved further into the distance Friday, as international nuclear inspectors reported on new information pointing to recent nuclear weapons work and on Tehran’s plans to start a new nuclear facility by summer.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) pointed out in its report that because of … Original article on : IAEA reports new intelligence on Iranian nuclear weapon.

Sunny morning in capital, rains expected

NEW DELHI – Heavy downpour throughout the night paved way for a chilly Saturday morning, but the clouds soon cleared to make way for the sun. The weatherman has predicted light showers later in the day.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded 10.3 mm of rainfall from Friday 8.30 a.m to Saturday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sunny morning in capital, rains expected.

Fresh snowfall drapes Shimla in white

SHIMLA – Shimla, the resort destination of Himachal Pradesh, received the season’s fifth snowfall early Saturday, making the destination more picturesque.

While Shimla saw a light spell, nearby places like Kufri and Narkanda experienced moderate snowfall, according to a Met official. Manali also received moderate snow.
The snowfall froze the “Queen of Hills”, as Shimla …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fresh snowfall drapes Shimla in white.

Warm day for Delhi, rain likely by night

NEW DELHI – It was a warm, sunny day for the capital Friday as the maximum temperature settled at 25.5 degrees Celsius, a notch below the average for the season.

The weatherman has predicted some light showers towards the night.
“Light rain is expected towards late night. However, the minimum and maximum temperature would be … Read more »»».

Cow’s first milk could boost athletic performance

LONDON – Scientists looking for ways to boost athletic performance have found cow’s first milk promising in the treatment of the ‘leaky gut syndrome’.

Bovine colostrum, early milk produced for a few days after delivery of a calf, is apparently rich in immunoglobulins, proteins involved in promoting the immune system and fighting germs.
… Read more : Cow’s first milk could boost athletic performance.

Study finds how we recall ‘irrelevant’ info

WASHINGTON – A new study has looked at how older and younger adults encode and recall distracting, or irrelevant, information.

The results can help scientists better understand memory and aging.

“Our world contains so much information; we don’t always know which is relevant and which …. Source article  : Study finds how we recall ‘irrelevant’ info.

‘Super skin’ that can sense a fly land

WASHINGTON – ‘Super skin’ so sensitive to touch that it can sense a fly land on it has been developed and could allow robots or other devices to perform functions beyond what human skin can do.

Stanford University researcher Zhenan Bao is also self-powering the ’super skin’ with polymer solar cells. Besides being flexible, … Original article on : ‘Super skin’ that can sense a fly land.

Scientists discover waves in giant magnetic holes on Sun

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the University of Sheffield and Queen’s University Belfast have discovered giant magnetic holes on the surface of the Sun.he team of researchers has found large, dark regions, which look like holes on the Sun’s surface, mark out areas where the magnetic field breaks through from the Sun’s interior and rises into … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover waves in giant magnetic holes on Sun.

Dairy colostrum ‘may be the key to Olympic success’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that bovine colostrum can massively reduce gut permeability, otherwise known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’.

Their findings could have positive implications not just for athletes but also for sufferers of heatstroke.

Gut disorders induced by exercise are common in runners – the body’s response to increased permeability is to clear the gut contents, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dairy colostrum ‘may be the key to Olympic success’.

Change in PSA level poor predictor of prostate cancer

WASHINGTON – Change in PSA levels over time, known as PSA velocity, is a poor predictor of prostate cancer and may lead to many unnecessary biopsies, according to researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Several groups, including the National Cancer Center Network and the American Urological Association, recommend that men with high PSA velocity get a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Change in PSA level poor predictor of prostate cancer.

Green growth should not result in slow growth: Economic Survey

NEW DELHI – The Economic Survey released Friday has called for careful planning and customised policies to ensure that green growth strategies do not result in slow growth.

The survey tabled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherkee in both houses of parliament said it was a challenge to maintain proper balance between green policies and growth …. Read the original article  : Green growth should not result in slow growth: Economic Survey.

Scientists illuminate cell pathway key to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes

WASHINGTON – Scientists have shed new light on the problem of insulin resistance, and identified the key participants in a molecular pathway that holds therapeutic promise for reducing the severity of type 2 diabetes.

Their … Read : Scientists illuminate cell pathway key to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

World’s first android marathon flagged off

LONDON – It has begun – the world’s first pint-sized robos have set off on the world’s first robot marathon.

The event got under way in Osaka, Japan, today with five competitors trying to better each other over the full distance course, [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Practice of mindfulness’ can help people deal with life’s difficulties

WASHINGTON – An expert has suggested that the key to dealing with some of the challenges life throws at us – including pain, suffering, illness, grief and loss – is to truly appreciate the positive aspects of life, and not simply focus on the negative.

It is important to acknowledge the setbacks, but equal attention and …. Original article  : ‘Practice of mindfulness’ can help people deal with life’s difficulties.