Monthly Science Current Affairs December 2015

Science News For The Year 2015 and Month Dec

Brain activity of worms recorded in 3D

Scientists have developed a new method to record 3D footage of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal, an advance that could help better understand how neurons coordinate action and perception in animals.
2015-12-31

Simple method to improve breast cancer treatment

A simple and non-invasive imaging method can effectively replace the current practice in determining appropriateness of breast cancer treatment, thereby reducing the need for invasive tissue sampling, new research has found.
2015-12-31

Fitness freak? Too much exercise is bad for heart

With many of us contemplating marathons or other endurance events in 2016, we, our spouses and other family members most likely have wondered whether such strenuous training could be harmful to our hearts.
2015-12-31

Indigenize is focus of this year's science meet

"Industrialize or perish" was the clarion call given by Sir M Visvesvaraya, former dewan of Mysuru, and one of India's best known engineers. Today, many decades later, the slogan the country is embracing seems to be "indigenize or perish".
2015-12-30

Shopping can bring long-term happiness: Study

In some good news for shopaholics, scientists have found that material purchases can provide more frequent happiness over time.
2015-12-30

Man posts selfie a year after quitting crystal meth to show progress of living clean

One of the greatest things about being clean is that I got to be sober to see my sister have her baby girl: Ryan Harder
2015-12-30

Another contagious cancer type found in Tasmanian devils

Contagious cancers may not be as rare as thought, say scientists who have discovered a second transmissible cancer type in Tasmanian devils -a small dog-sized ferocious carnivore found in Tasmania.
2015-12-30

Seaweed capsule to help diabetics lead a needle-free life

Scientists have developed a capsule made from seaweed extract or preserving insulin-producing pancreatic cells, offering hope to diabetics to lead a needle-free life.
2015-12-30

Nasa captures landslide on Mars

Nasa has released an image of a relatively fresh landslide on Mars that shows boulder-covered landslip along a canyon wall.
2015-12-29

New contagious form of cancer discovered

Contagious cancers may not be as rare as thought, say scientists who have discovered a second transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils - small dog-sized ferocious carnivores found in the Australian island state of Tasmania.
2015-12-29

E-cigarettes may lead to cancer: Study

Electronic cigarettes, often marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, may damage cells in ways that could lead to cancer, a new study has warned. The damage occurred even with nicotine-free versions of the products, researchers said.
2015-12-29

Myths about your New Year 'detox' - debunked

The New Year is almost upon us, which means we're all about to be inundated with reasons why we need to stock our fridges with kale, buy expensive juicers and Instagram pictures of salads labelled #cleanse.
2015-12-29

Midnight munchies may impair memory, learning

Frequent late night kitchen raids for snacks may impair your memory and learning skills, according to a new study which found that the habit could alter the brain's physiology.
2015-12-29

'Indians three times more prone to cardiac arrest than Americans'

Indians are three times more prone to cardiac arrest than Americans owing primarily to poor lifestyle, eating habits and genetic reasons, medical experts have said.
2015-12-28

Blocking fat-transporting protein may slow ageing

A naturally occurring protein that transports fats around the body also hinders essential functions in cells that increase life span, scientists have found, suggesting that blocking the protein in humans may prevent age-related diseases.
2015-12-28

First chip that uses light for data transfer developed

A microprocessor chip that uses light, rather than electricity, to transfer data at rapid speeds while consuming minute amounts of energy has been developed by researchers, including those of Indian-origin.
2015-12-28

Is nicotine replacement therapy healthy way to quit smoking?

Experts say there is enough scientific evidence to suggest that Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can work effectively to quit smoking.
2015-12-27

39.36% of Indian men have abnormal lipid: Study

A pan-India study showed that 39.36% of Indian men had abnormal lipid marker levels in their blood. The analysis based on 13.93lakh samples tested over three years showed that the abnormality was the highest among men from the eastern zone.
2015-12-27

Diabetes growing at alarming rate: Study

An analysis of over 10.21lakh blood sugar levels of men, women and children revealed that an overwhelming percentage of them had diabetes. An estimated 65.1 million people in India are affected with diabetes and the prevalence is expected to reach around 69.9 million by 2025.
2015-12-27

Blocking single molecule may delay premature birth: Study

Scientists have identified a molecule in the uterus that can be blocked to delay or even halt premature birth. The researchers focused on a molecule known as TRPV4, which helps control the flow of calcium into cells. Premature birth is the leading cause of death and disability in newborns worldwide.
2015-12-27

World's most obese man dies after weight-loss surgery

A man believed to be the world's most obese passed away on Friday in Mexico, barely two months after undergoing a weight-loss surgery .
2015-12-27

10 weird reasons why people fall in love

According to research, your hormones, interests, and even your parents' looks could decide who you choose
2015-12-27

LED lighting cuts costs for greenhouse tomato growers

Supplemental light-emitting diode (LED) lighting treatment can help greenhouse tomato growers reduce energy cost without affecting fruit quality attributes, new research suggests.
2015-12-26

Meet the animal that may live forever

Is there a creature that can defeat death? Yes, says new research that confirmed that the tiny hydra - a centimetre-long polyp that inhabits fresh water all over the world - does not show any sign of deteriorating with age and, if kept in ideal conditions, may just live forever.
2015-12-26

New polymer could purify water in seconds

Researchers have used the same material found in air fresheners, cyclodextrin, to develop a technique that could revolutionize the water-purification industry.
2015-12-26

British astronaut dials wrong number from space

Britain's first astronaut on a space mission, Major Tim Peake, accidentally called the wrong number when trying to call home from space.
2015-12-26

Pollution making bacteria antibiotic resistant?

Environmental contaminants may be part ly to blame for the rise in anti biotic-resistant bacteria, a new US study suggests. J Vaun McArthur from the Universi ty of Georgia tested his hypot hesis in streams on the US de partment of energy's Savan nah River Site (SRS).
2015-12-26

Inheritance plays big part in 12 cancers: Study

Scientists have found strong evidence for inherited components in 12 different kinds of deadly cancers. This raises hope for earlier detection and better targeting of therapy.
2015-12-25

Novel liver hormone cuts cravings for sweets, alcohol

In a good news for those who cannot shun their drink and also have "sweet tooth", scientists have discovered for the first time a liver hormone that works via brain to reduce cravings for sweets and alcohol in mammals.
2015-12-25

Optical illusion 'breaks your brain' so you see black and white as green and red

But your vision could be stuck like that for over three months
2015-12-25

Christmas Day full moon to appear in the UK sky for the first time in 38 years

There won't be another full moon on Christmas Day until 2034
2015-12-25

Quran found at UK univ belonged to first ever Muslims?

An ancient copy of the Quran found at the University of Birmingham in July may have belonged to Abu Bakr, one of the world's first ever Muslims.
2015-12-24

Technical glitch delays Nasa's Mars project by 2 years

Nasa's Mars programme has suffered a setback following the decision of the space agency to suspend the March 2016 launch of the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission as a result of unsuccessful attempts to repair a leak in a section of the prime instrument in the science payload.
2015-12-24

TV channel hires robot as reporter, anchors worried

For the first time, a Chinese news channel has employed an artificial intelligence robot as a weather reporter on its live breakfast show, raising concerns among the country's journalists as it could threaten their jobs.
2015-12-24

E-toys hamper kids language development

Baby laptops, baby cellphones, talking farms these are the toys of the moment, marketed as tools to encourage babies language skills.
2015-12-24

Nasa sent the International Space Station Ridley Scott's The Martian and Alien to watch over Christmas

220 miles away, orbiting the earth, floats the International Space Station (ISS), currently filled with six astronauts, including our very own Tim Peake.
2015-12-24

Your saliva can spot early death risk

What if your saliva could predict if you are at a risk of dying? A new study has revealed that levels of antibodies in saliva are associated with the risk of mortality.
2015-12-24

Firm personalises kids books, with robot as co-author

One of the best presents that Asi Sharabi ever got was a bad book. It was a customised book for his 3-year old daughter, Thalia, and apart from the initial thrill of seeing her name in the story, there was not much to distinguish it from a mediocre mass-produced picture book.
2015-12-23

People who like to make new pals addicted to Facebook

People who use Facebook to meet new people are most dependent on the social networking site, according to a new study, which found that the reason why people use the site determines the level of their dependency on it.
2015-12-23

Ebola survivors suffer from vision, hearing loss

Survivors of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) may suffer from complications such as vision, hearing and joint pain, even months after their discharge, scientists, including one of Indian-origin have found.
2015-12-23

Prolonging IVF increases odds of having a baby

In their quest to become parents, most infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation must grapple with a tough decision: when to call it quits.
2015-12-23

Cardiac arrests have warning symptoms but are ignored, study finds

The potentially life-saving symptoms of cardiac arrests are being ignored for hours, days and even weeks before a person is struck, a new study has shown.
2015-12-23

Potatoes to be grown on Earth under Mars-like conditions

Scientists plan to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions simulated on Earth, in a major step towards building a controlled dome on the red planet capable of farming the invaluable crop.
2015-12-23

Malta: On a Mediterranean island, but far from a Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean has long been known for its mix of sun, sea, fish, nuts and olives, a combination considered an elixir of health and fitness.
2015-12-23

Blue-eye gene traced to stone age man

If you have ever wondered why, like Cameron Diaz, Leonard Di Caprio and Frank Sinatra, you have blue eyes it is because you share a gene mutation first seen in a stone age man who lived around 7,000 years ago.
2015-12-23

Nasa calls off next Mars mission because of instrument leak

Nasa has called off its next Mars mission because of a leak in a science instrument.
2015-12-22

Giant comets may threaten Earth, say astronomers

Planet Earth could be at higher risk of a space rock impact than widely thought, according to astronomers. The discovery in the last two decades of hundreds of giant comets dubbed centaurs requires expanding the list of potential hazards, the said.
2015-12-22

People with blue eyes have one thing in common

If you have ever wondered why, like Cameron Diaz, Leonard Di Caprio and Frank Sinatra, you have blue eyes it is because you share a gene mutation first seen in a Stone Age man who lived around 7,000 years ago.
2015-12-22

Obese children may have weaker bones: Study

Obese children tend to have more muscle but excess body fat may compromise other functions in their bodies, such as bone growth, new research has found.
2015-12-22

Bengaluru startup prints 3-D liver tisues for medical research and therapeutics

A city based biotechnology start-up has developed artificial liver tissue performing the function of human liver, which would enable affordable medical research and reduced animal and human trials, leading to full scale transplant-able organs in few years' time.
2015-12-22

Mammals exploded immediately after dinosaur extinction: Research

The diversity of mammals - the group that today includes nearly 5,000 species including humans - on Earth exploded straight after the dinosaur extinction event, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2015-12-22

In 13/11 aftermath, Parisians come together to preserve tokens of grief

On a recent afternoon in the storage room of an imposing gray building in northeastern Paris, Mathilde Pintault cut open a sheet of clear plastic and pulled out a child's drawing, its colours blurred by water.
2015-12-22

Pig's cornea restores Chinese man's sight

Chinese surgeons on Monday announced the successful transplant of a bio-engineered pig cornea into a human eye, a development that may help millions of people to see again.
2015-12-22

Virtual reality to help Nasa steer robonauts?

Virtual reality could be used for more than just entertainment, it may also help scientists to control robots in space, according to Nasa.
2015-12-22

Soon, 'hydricity' may generate 24x7 power

Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have proposed a new "hydricity" concept for round-the-clock power by not only generating electricity from solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water.
2015-12-22

Rapid test for deadly diseases developed

A new technology for quickly identifying deadly bacterial strains of infectious disease has been developed by researchers at McMaster University in Canada.
2015-12-21

Astronauts aim to fix jammed rail car during spacewalk

Two Americans floated outside the International Space Station to start a spacewalk with the primary goal of freeing a rail car that was jammed outside the orbiting lab.
2015-12-21

What happens to your body after you give up sugar

Giving up sugar for just nine days can dramatically improve people's health, a new study claims.
2015-12-21

New 'hydricity' concept for round-the-clock power

Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have proposed a new "hydricity" concept for round-the-clock power by not only generating electricity from solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water.
2015-12-21

Black holes grow as large as 50bn Suns

Black holes at the heart of galaxies could swell to 50 billion times the mass of the Sun before losing the discs of gas they rely on to sustain themselves, according to a new study .
2015-12-21

Nepal's Pokhara built on debris of medieval earthquakes

Nepal's second-largest city and its leading tourist hub Pokhara is built on massive debris deposits which are associated with strong medieval earthquakes, a new study has found.
2015-12-21

A new material to make roads ice proof

Driving in winters could soon become easier and safer, thanks to a new material developed by scientists that could `de-ice' snow-covered, slippery roads potentially for years.
2015-12-21

Online candy games make kids eat more

Parents, take note! Children tend to consume more calories after playing online games that involve food, a new study has found. Researchers found that shortly after playing a game with an embedded food advertisement, children ate 55% more of the candy offered to them than children who had played a game with an embedded toy advertisement.
2015-12-21

Sing them a song: Doctors study potential of music on foetuses

Most mothers talk and sing to their unborn babies and swear they can feel a response. With ultrasound studies proving that foetus in the womb indeed respond to music, a group of specialists in the city are now exploring the scope of music in enhancing radiology and imaging technology.
2015-12-20

New medicine for Hepatitis C treatment launched

Two new drugs for fighting Hepatitis C at an affordable price were launched as experts from across the globe gathered here to discuss progress in finding treatment to the dreaded Hepatitis B and C liver diseases.
2015-12-20

New material could lead to ice-proof roads

Driving in winters could soon become easier and safer, thanks to a new material developed by scientists that could 'de-ice' snow-covered, slippery roads potentially for years.
2015-12-20

Closest 'habitable' planet found 14 light years away

Astronomers have discovered the closest potentially habitable planet found outside our solar system, orbiting a star just 14 light years away.
2015-12-20

Christmas: Finding out how Santa Claus manages to visit 336 million homes

'Maybe Santa has tapped into ways of jumping in and out of different dimensions'
2015-12-20

Moms in their thirties more likely to have intelligent kids

Women who have children in their thirties are more likely than mothers in their twenties and forties to give birth to smarter and healthier babies, new analysis suggests.
2015-12-19

Horror films do make the blood curdle

The saying goes that horror films are blood curdling. Now, scientists believe they have proven that the idea is true.
2015-12-19

Lightsaber seen in space

Nasa has spotted a huge lightsaber cutting through space, in an area of space clouds where new stars are born.
2015-12-19

IIT-M develops carbon nanotube that helps kill cancer cells

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology - Madras have developed that a carbon nanotube that helps kill cancer cells without affecting the neighbour cells.
2015-12-19

Curiosity finds silica deposits on Mars

Nasa's Mars Curiosity rover has found high concentrations of silica a rock-forming chemical commonly seen on Earth as quartz which could help scientists learn more about the ancient wet environment on the red planet.
2015-12-19

Better technique to extract uranium from sea in the offing

An ultra-high-resolution technique used for the first time to study polymer fibres that trap uranium in seawater may lead to better methods to harvest this potential fuel for nuclear reactors, scientists say.
2015-12-18

Dust doughnut around massive black hole is clumpy, study shows

Scientists have for the first time penetrated the doughnut shaped clouds of gas and dust that surround most of the massive black holes in the universe and come up with a surprising discovery. The cosmic doughnuts are not smooth but clumpy.
2015-12-18

Vegetarians lead a healthier life than meat-eaters: Oxford study

Non-vegetarian food may lose its charm beyond your taste buds. Vegetarians have been found leading a healthier life as compared to meat-eaters. Incidence of diseases such as pancreatic cancer and respiratory problems are also less common among vegetarians than in those who consume meat regularly, according to a latest study.
2015-12-17

Cancer caused by environmental factors such as smoking, radiation and toxic chemicals, not 'bad luck', study reveals

Modern lifestyles are causing 90 per cent of cancers, according to new research.
2015-12-17

Environment, not 'bad luck', mainly to blame for cancer: Study

Environmental factors such as sunshine and tobacco smoke cause more cancers than random DNA mutations, researchers have affirmed contesting another team's conclusions that "bad luck" was mainly to blame.
2015-12-17

Hubble spots first-ever supernova explosion

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the image of the first-ever predicted supernova explosion that offers a unique opportunity for astronomers to test how mass - especially that of mysterious dark matter - is distributed within a galaxy cluster.
2015-12-17

Scientists reveal 100% effective hangover cure

Hangover cures, whether it be drinking coffee, downing a fizzy drink, tucking into a fry-up or even the 'hair of the dog that bit you' are pretty much a waste of time and effort, scientists have concluded.
2015-12-17

Info-egoists: People more likely to share pals' private data than their own

Your friends on social media are more likely to share your private data with third-party app developers than their own information, says a new study that suggests people are `info-egoists' when it comes to privacy.
2015-12-17

Found: Traces of a new fundamental particle

Two teams of physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, said they had seen traces of what could be a new fundamental particle of nature.
2015-12-17

Here's how human brain can handle so much data

Researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist from Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered how humans can categorise data using less than percent percent of the original information.
2015-12-16

In a first, parrots found using and sharing tools

A species of parrots found in Madagascar and Comoros was found to use tools  a first among parrots.
2015-12-16

Indian-American's 'Super Condom' can help combat AIDS

Mahua Choudhery and her team of researchers at Texas A&M University have come up with the hydrogel condom which could help in the global fight against HIV. Since its outbreak in 1981, HIV virus has killed 39 million people across the world.
2015-12-16

Put to the test: 36 questions that can make you fall in love with anyone

In 1997, a group of pyschologist claimed to have found 36 questions which could make two strangers fall in love. Years later, this study has been put to the test - and filmed for all to see.
2015-12-15

Forensic facial expert reconstructs Jesus Christ's face using ancient skulls

Richard Neave, formerly a professor at Manchester University, constructed the image after he examined three Semites skulls from around Galilee in northern Israel using methods more frequently employed to identify victims of crimes as part of a BBC series more than a decade ago.
2015-12-15

Earth's tilt affects climate change

In a first, researchers have discovered a connection between the Earth's tilt, called obliquity, that shifts every 41,000 years, and the movement of a low pressure band of clouds that is the Earth's largest source of heat and moisture - the Intertropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ.
2015-12-15

A material for water-proof surfaces is created

Scientists have created a new low-cost, non-toxic material that mimics the lotus leaf to repel water droplets, an advance that could help create environment-friendly water-proof surfaces.
2015-12-15

No solar farm, it will suck sun's energy

AUS town has rejected a proposal for a solar farm following public concerns.
2015-12-14

Taking antidepressants while pregnant may double autism risk

Women who take certain common antidepressants while pregnant may face almost twice the risk of having a child with autism, a study said on Monday.
2015-12-14

Volcanic event caused ice age during Jurassic Period

A large-scale volcanic event during the Jurassic Period may have caused the 'ice-age' that took place on Earth around 170 million years ago, a new study has found.
2015-12-14

Star Wars: How to build a Death Star, according to Nasa

The Death Star, the nefarious cosmic entity that is the center of the evil Galactic Empire's reign in Star Wars, has always been thought to be solely a facet of science fiction.
2015-12-14

Send SOS through urine-powered socks

Scientists have invented a pair of high-tech socks which, when filled with urine, and activated by the wearer's footsteps, can produce enough power to send a message.
2015-12-14

Found: Buried towers in Angkor Wat

The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia was much larger and more complex than previously thought, say archaeologists, who discovered buried towers and remains of a huge structure near the world's largest religious monument.
2015-12-14

Smartphones are ruining our posture and mood

There are plenty of reasons to put our cellphones down and now researchers have said smartphones are ruining our posture.
2015-12-14

Healthism leading to Jolie syndrome

Highly commercialized standards of health and beauty can lead to the Angelina Jolie syndrome  taking preventive action, such as surgery on a healthy body, for a hypothetical disease, researchers claimed.
2015-12-14

Essex man suffering from hypospadias thought he was the only man in the world with a one-inch penis

Hypospadias is a congenital problem affecting the appearance and function of the penis
2015-12-13

Vaginal orgasms are a 'myth', researchers claim

New study claims terms are wrong and need to be reconsidered
2015-12-13

How often should I wash my hair? Personal care experts answer in Reddit AMA

It's an oft-debated question that never seems to come to any proper conclusion: "how often should I wash my hair?"
2015-12-13

Gurgaon: Da Vinci Xi robots perform among the first of its kind surgery

A 35-year old patient from Republic of Congo, who was suffering from Yousuf's Syndrome, has undergone a surgery with Da Vinci Xi system, one of the most advanced robotic surgical technology for performing minimal invasive surgery. This is reportedly one of the first such surgeries in India.
2015-12-13

New cancer treatment kills prostate tumor cells

A new study has revealed that prostate tumor cells can be killed by combining radiation treatment with suicide gene therapy, a technique in which prostate cancer cells are genetically modified.
2015-12-13

Satellites to check climate vows

Scientists from the US, Japan, and China are racing to perfect satellite technology that could one day measure green house gas emissions from space, potentially transforming the winner into the world's first climate cop.
2015-12-13

In session: Classes on etiquette, chivalry

Middle schoolers are not generally known for their good manners. But Cord Ivanyi, a teacher in Arizona, said that he was fed up after seeing the sheer rudeness and carelessness the boys showed, especially during parties when they would shove their way to the front of food lines.
2015-12-13

Should we fear the rise of the robots?

Anyone who's had the pleasure of watching the blockbuster film I, Robot starring Will Smith could be forgiven for not taking the robots could take over the-world argument too seriously.
2015-12-13

'Stress precursor to pre-Alzheimer's condition in elderly'

Feeling stressed out increases the chances of elderly people developing mild cognitive impairment - often a prelude to full-blown Alzheimer's disease, a study found.
2015-12-12

MUHS partners to start Africa Oncology Fellowship Program

Merck, a science and technology company, joined hands with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) and University of Nairobi to start its Africa Oncology Fellowship Program. It signed a MoU with the MUHS this week to kick-start the programme.
2015-12-11

Alzheimer's: Drinking a glass of wine a day may help sufferers reduce risk of death from disease

Alzheimer's sufferers who drink a single glass of wine - or the equivalent of two to three units of alcohol - every day are significantly less likely to die than those who drink more or are teetotal, research suggests.
2015-12-11

USFDA safety review asks for new warnings on diabetes medicines, SGL2 inhibitors

An FDA safety review has resulted in adding new warnings to the labels of a specific class of type 2 diabetes medicines -- sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, about the risks of too much acid in the blood and of serious urinary tract infections.
2015-12-11

Nasa Cassini probe captures Earth-like image of Saturn's biggest moon Titan

A new image of Titan released by Nasa shows Saturn's larget moon can bear a striking resemblance to Earth.
2015-12-11

Double delight: Meteor showers, comet to greet Earth this month

Skywatchers are in for a double treat this month.While comet Catalina has now become visible in the early hours on the eastern sky, the Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak on December 13 and 14.
2015-12-11

First-ever test-tube puppies born in US

Scientists in the US have created the world's first litter of puppies conceived in a test tube, a breakthrough that may help eradicate disease in dogs and humans.
2015-12-10

New software uses words, gestures to detect lies

Researchers are developing a unique liedetecting software that considers both the speaker's words and gestures, and unlike a polygraph, does not need to touch the subject in order to function.
2015-12-10

Just strum in the air: Virtual guitar has no strings attached

A guitar with no strings attached has become a reality.
2015-12-10

World's 1st dengue vaccine cleared for use in Mexico

The world's first dengue vaccine has won regulatory approval in Mexico, raising hopes that it could prevent more than 100 deaths there a year and eventually millions around the world.
2015-12-10

Go ahead and sulk. unhappiness won't kill you

A study published on Wednesday in The Lancet, following one million middle-aged women in Britain for 10 years, finds that the widely held view that happiness enhances health and longevity is unfounded.
2015-12-10

Kids with common allergies at high heart disease risk

Children with allergic disease, particularly asthma and hay fever, have twice the rate of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, setting them on course for heart disease at early age, finds a new study.
2015-12-10

Happiness doesn't bring good health, study finds

Go ahead and sulk. Unhappiness won't kill you. A study published on Wednesday in The Lancet, following 1 million middle-aged women in Britain for 10 years, finds that the widely held view that happiness enhances health and longevity is unfounded.
2015-12-10

Blame genes for impulsive choices: US researchers

The tendency to take a smaller reward now rather than waiting for a larger one available later is strongly influenced by genetics, which means it can be inherited, a new study has found.
2015-12-10

Dogs too have a conscience: Study

Your pet dog and probably many other animals have a conscience too, according to a surprising new study that found the canines know who they are.
2015-12-10

5 years after 1st try, Japan probe enters Venus orbit

After its first failure on December 6 2010, Japan's maiden mission to Venus, Akatsuki or Venus Climate Orbiter, has successfully zoomed into the Venusian orbit, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) confirmed on Wednesday.
2015-12-10

Internet makes us rely less on our knowledge

People are less willing to rely on their knowledge and say they know something when they have access to internet, suggesting that our connection to the web is affecting how we think, a new study has found.
2015-12-10

One in four young docs may have the blues

More than one in four doctors in the early stages of their careers has signs of depression, according to a new study that suggests gruelling years of training for a medical career are partly to blame.
2015-12-10

Japanese space probe goes into orbit around Venus

Japan's space agency said on Wednesday its "Akatsuki" probe had successfully entered into orbit around Venus after an initial attempt at reaching the second planet from the sun failed five years ago.
2015-12-09

Frequent green tea consumption may hamper fertility: Study

Are you a green tea lover? Read this carefully as the cup packed with anti-oxidants and other health benefits may adversely affect your fertility and development in case of frequent use, warn researchers.
2015-12-09

Glaciers in Everest have shrunk by 28% in 40 years'

Glaciers on Mount Everest, source of major Asian rivers like Brahmaputra, have shrunk by 28% over the past 40 years due to climate change, according to a report.
2015-12-09

Novel technique can help improve diabetes treatment

Scientists have deployed a new drug discovery technique to identify an anti-diabetes compound with a novel mechanism of action, which may lead to a new type of treatment.
2015-12-09

`Too much green tea can harm you'

Green tea, enjoyed by millions for its numerous health benefits, may have adverse effects if taken in high doses, a new study in fruit flies suggests. Researchers discovered that excessive consumption of green tea adversely affected development and reproduction in fruit flies.
2015-12-09

Hidden portrait found underneath Mona Lisa

A French scientist claims to have discovered a different portrait hidden behind that of the Mona Lisa following 10 years of analysis using reflective light technology.
2015-12-09

Oxford scientists create most expensive material in the world, valued at £200 million a gram

Oxford University scientists are creating the world's most expensive material - endohedral fullerenes, spherical carbon molecules containing nitrogen atoms, which sell for £100 million a gram.
2015-12-08

E-cigarette chemical may harm lungs: Study

A flavouring chemical linked to cases of severe respiratory disease has been found in more than 75 per cent of flavoured electronic cigarettes and refill liquids tested by Harvard researchers.
2015-12-08

Developed: Thin 'power paper' that can store energy

Scientists have developed power paper -a new material consisting of nanocellulose and a conductive polymer -that has an outstanding ability to store energy . One sheet, 15 centimetres in diameter and a few tenths of a millimetre thick, can store energy similar to the supercapacitors currently on the market, researchers said.
2015-12-08

'Built 225km away, Stonehenge was relocated 500 yrs later'

Stonehenge could have been first built in what is now Wales where it remained for 500 years until it was dismantled and dragged off to Wiltshire, archaeologists have suggested.
2015-12-08

Tooth decay? Fix it sans drill-and-fill

Tooth decay can be stopped, reversed and prevented without the need for the traditional `drill and fill' approach that has dominated dental care for decades, a new study has found.
2015-12-08

Lift off with your own flying machine

Do you wish to fly like a bird in the backyard of your home? Your dream will come true soon as a team of engineering students from National University of Singapore (NUS) has built the first personal flying machine that can bear the load of a person weighing 70 kg for a flight time of about five minutes.
2015-12-08

World's first biologically powered chip created

In a major breakthrough, researchers at Columbia Engineering have harnessed the molecular machinery of living systems to power an integrated circuit.
2015-12-07

Astrosat's first light image from UV telescope reaches Earth

The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard India's first multi-wavelength satellite Astrosat has sent the first light images.
2015-12-07

Doomsday Clock awaits outcome of Paris talks

A board member gives Sunday Times an insider's view into the working of the ominous dial that is watching climate change and nuclear arsenals closely
2015-12-07

Nasa mission with 7,000 pounds of key science on way to ISS

Carrying 7,000 pounds of research materials that will directly support over dozens of key investigations on the orbiting laboratory, a cargo-laden Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft soared towards the ISS.
2015-12-07

Puzzle behind face blindness solved?

2015-12-07

Yeast hybrids may add flavour to your beer

2015-12-07

NASA's Curiosity rover is among the most advanced robots today

Two essential requirements for a machine to be called a robot is a programmable 'brain' and a body that can move.
2015-12-07

Gymming may be turning you into a boozer

Exercise and drinking are usually thought to be two separate things, one healthy, the other unhealthy, but according to science, they actually go together very well.
2015-12-06

Balloon Kyphoplasty technology can help treat vertebral fractures: Experts

If you are among those who close their eyes to back pain simply as outcome of overwork, this may give you a reason to think otherwise. According to scientific research, chronic back pain, which is often mistaken as fatigue, is strongly associated with vertebral fractures, leading to functional loss, disability, poor quality of life and osteoporotic compression fractures affects millions of people globally.
2015-12-06

Gangotri glacier getting less snowfall, higher temperatures

A research shows that the health of the majestic Gangotri glacier that feeds the river Ganges has been affected, as the maximum temperature in the region has shot up by 0.9 degree Celsius and snowfall reduced by 37 cm annually.
2015-12-06

How water escapes from Saturn explained

Researchers have found how water ions escape from the Saturn's environment after locating a point from where the ions exhaust out of the planet's atmosphere.
2015-12-05

People who watch violent films more likely to lie, cheat

Love watching movies with violent content? You may be more likely to lie, cheat or steal, according to a new study which found that exposure to violence could make people less ethical.
2015-12-04

Now, super strong dental fillings that don't corrode

Graphene oxide could be used to make non-toxic, super strong dental fillings that do not corrode, researchers have found.
2015-12-04

Moratorium on human gene editing on cards?

An international group of scientists meeting in Washington called on Thursday for what would, in effect, be a moratorium on making inheritable changes to the human genome.
2015-12-04

The sun could spew out huge superflares and put life on Earth in danger

The energy from the flares could be equivalent to a billion megaton bomb, destroying communication and energy systems
2015-12-04

Scientists find route to tuberculosis cure?

A team of scientists at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, has discovered a key biological pathway that allows Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) - pathogen causing tuberculosis (TB) - to survive in oxygen deprived condition.
2015-12-04

Nasa's Hubble and Spitzer find faint galaxy from early universe

Using the combined power of Nasa's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes scientists have found the faintest object ever seen in the early universe. It existed about 400 million years after the big bang, 13.8 billion years ago.
2015-12-04

Sun's 'superflares' may ruin Earth life

Sun has the potential to produce superflares, with energy equivalent to a billion megaton bombs, which may severely disrupt power grids and communication systems on the Earth, a new study has found.
2015-12-04

Created: New substance harder than diamond

Until recently, diamond was the hardest known naturally occurring ma erial. But a new process appli ed to carbon has uncovered a substance that a group of scien ists say is even harder.
2015-12-04

Crucial to study transplant surgery outcomes: Experts

Stakeholders of organ donation have said that there is an urgent need to study the outcome of an organ transplant, including the quality of life. Mumbai so far has seen 453 cadaver kidneys transplants since 1997 but there is no information whatsoever about the outcome of these surgeries over the years.
2015-12-03

New antibiotic jab may treat whooping cough

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, causes painful fits of coughing and life-threatening symptoms in infants and has had a devastating impact worldwide.
2015-12-03

Almonds provide lesser calories than estimated: Study

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) has shown that whole almonds provide about 20% fewer calories than what was originally thought.
2015-12-02

Cabinet okays Bill on Regional Centre for Biotechnology

The Union Cabinet gave its approval for introduction of a Bill to provide legal status to the Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad.
2015-12-02

How rising seas are claiming a vulnerable nation

As policy makers discuss a climate change accord in Paris, for the Marshall Islands, spread out over 29 narrow coral atolls in the South Pacific, the destructive power of the rising seas is already an inescapable part of daily life.
2015-12-02

Rare fossil of horned dinosaur found from 'lost continent'

Scientists have uncovered the rare fossil of a dog-sized horned dinosaur in eastern North America that roamed the Earth up to 100 million years ago.
2015-12-02

Dating apps to blame for rise in HIV among Asian teens: UN

Dating apps are causing cases of HIV to increa se amongst Asian tee nagers, according to an United Nations' research.
2015-12-02

New diabetes cases, at long last, begin to fall in US

After decades of re lentless rise, the number of new cases of diabetes in the US has finally started to de cline. The rate fell by about a fifth from 2008 to 2014, accor ding to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first sus tained decline since the dise ase started to explode in the US about 25 years ago.
2015-12-02

The massive health benefits of giving up sugar and alcohol for just one month

A Dutch man recently did a one-month sugar and alcohol fast and watched his cholesterol, weight and blood pressure fall.
2015-12-01

This is what happens when you die, according to a bunch of different people who died

Many of their accounts align with a recent scientific study into the subject.
2015-12-01

Fishes too may have emotions, consciousness: Study

Fish may show 'emotional fever', a slight increase in body temperature in situations of stress linked to the emotions and consciousness, a new study suggests.
2015-12-01

2.5 million year old peach fossils found in China

A Chinese professor made a startling discovery in Kunming, capital of Yunnan in southwest China. Tao Su was looking at some rocks exposed by road works near his home when he found what looked like a peach pit embedded in it. Later analysis showed that it dated back to more than two and a half million years. Later seven more peach pits were found.
2015-12-01

In major shift, diabetes cases on the decline in the US

There is growing evidence that American eating habits, after decades of deterioration, have finally begun to improve. The once-surging rates of obesity, a major driver of Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, have flattened.
2015-12-01

What giving up sugar, alcohol can do for you in just one month

A Dutch man recently did a one-month sugar and alcohol fast and watched his cholesterol, weight and blood pressure fall.
2015-12-01

Scientists debate boundaries, ethics of human gene editing

Rewriting your DNA is getting closer to reality: A revolutionary technology is opening new frontiers for genetic engineering - a promise of cures for intractable diseases along with anxiety about designer babies.
2015-12-01

Israel aiming to recreate wine Jesus, King David drank

The new crisp, acidic and mineral white from a high-end Israeli winery was aged for eight months or, depending on how you look at it, at least 1,800 years.
2015-11-30

Build own video game story with this tool

Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, are developing a new tool that can allow people to easily build their own digital story worlds for video games consisting of smart characters and objects.
2015-11-30

A flexible, stretchable rubber keyboard

Scientists have developed a soft, flexible and stretchable keyboard using a type of rubber known as a dielectric elastomer that can be wrapped around any object.
2015-11-30

Could N-plants function for 80 yrs? US to decide

The US is set to become the first nation to decide whether its safe to operate nuclear power plants for 80 years, twice as long as initially allowed.
2015-11-30

New flexible, stretchable rubber keyboard developed

Scientists have developed a soft, flexible and stretchable keyboard using a type of rubber known as a dielectric elastomer that can be wrapped around any object.
2015-11-30

'We need to introduce Earth Science to improve India's climate'

Neel M Karia, a student from Mumbai, bagged a gold medal at International Earth Science Olympiad, which was held in Brazil. He spoke on his preparation for the competition, his experience and ways climate can be improved in India.
2015-11-30

IIT-M develops method to track cyclones accurately

To reduce the window of mistakes and to improve the accuracy of forecasts, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras are developing a technique that will depend that is fed into high quality data from satellites on supercomputers.
2015-11-30

Even 8 decades after invention, polygraph's accuracy contested

A polygraph, commonly known as lie detector, is a device used to detect lies by measuring several physiological variables of the person being questioned.
2015-11-29

Sugar-free drinks may not be 'tooth-friendly': Study

If you thought your teeth were safe since you switched to sugar-free drinks, think again! Scientists have warned that such drinks can cause measurable damage to the tooth enamel.
2015-11-29

High-fat diet may be harmful for your brain

High-fat diet may not only make us obese, but also cause cognitive impairment by prompting immune cells in the brain to consume the connections between neurons, a new study has warned.
2015-11-29

There are no true black holes: Scientist Abhas Mitra

Researcher who 'Upset the black hole applecart' says he got no support from kolkata in his path-breaking discovery
2015-11-29

Children who eat breakfast score higher marks

Nutritionists have already shown a link between eating breakfast and staying healthy.
2015-11-29

Weed-infused coffee the new cuppa of joy

It was during an endless drive home from a camping trip that American entrepreneur Adam Stites came up with his latest product.
2015-11-29

The world's `sexiest' robot is here

We all love robots -but could we one day actually fall in love with one? This is Android Geminoid F , an eerily lifelike humanoid which stole the show at the World Robot Exhibition in Beijing this week.
2015-11-29

Hepatitis C cure may cost as low as Rs 67k

In a move that comes as a huge relief to patients of chronic Hepatitis C, the apex committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted a waiver of local trials for crucial new direct-acting antiviral drugs treating the disease.
2015-11-29

'Lifestyle, obesity, late hours leading to breast cancer'

While cervical cancer is on decline, breast cancer cases are on rise due to obesity and lifestyle-related factors, said Dr Neeraja Bhatia, president, Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India, here.
2015-11-27

1 in 4 dengue patients at AIIMS didn't need blood transfusion: Study

A study has concluded that nearly one out of every four dengue patients (23.2%) administered platelet transfusion during the 2013 outbreak at AIIMS did not need it.
2015-11-26

First mirror installed on NASA's James Webb Telescope

NASA has successfully installed the first of 18 flight mirrors onto the James Webb Space Telescope, beginning a critical piece of the observatory's construction to replace the Hubble Space Telescope in 2018.
2015-11-26

Heart patient? Cut down on sitting time

If you are suffering from ailments related to the heart, make it a point to get up and move every half an hour as researchers have found that patients with heart disease who sit a lot have worse health even if they exercise.
2015-11-26

Source: Times of India News

LATEST ABBREVIATIONS USED:

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
European Council for Nuclear Research(CERN)
Intertropical Convergence Zone(ITCZ)
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS)
sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2)
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN)
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) 

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