Monthly Science News May 2016

Science News For The Month Jun

Isro launches India's first reusable launch vehicle from Sriharikota

After several years of development work, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) launched the re-usable launch vehicle technology demonstrator (RLV-TD) 70-km from earth and hope to bring it back. A successful test launch, which has been postponed multiple times in the last two-and-a-half years, will go a long way in giving Isro a technology that will reduce the launch cost to one tenth of the present expenditure.
2016-05-23

India to get new indigenously-built supercomputer next year

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing that built India's first supercomputer, Param, is handling the project. The government had, in March 2015, approved the plan of the National Supercomputing Mission, under which 80 supercomputers will be built in the next seven years.
2016-05-23

'Sunscreen gene' may help protect against skin cancer

Scientists have identified a 'sunscreen gene' that may help protect against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma patients with deficient or mutant copies of the 'UV radiation Resistance Associated Gene' are less protected from harmful ultraviolet rays.
2016-05-21

High blood pressure raises risk of developing vascular dementia

High blood pressure can significantly raise the risk of developing vascular dementia, a disease which affects around 7 lakh people in India, a new study found. High blood pressure was found to be associated with 62 per cent higher risk of vascular dementia between the ages of 30-50.
2016-05-19

Mars is within reach, says German tapped for space command

Humans could set foot on Mars within decades if they wanted to, according to the German astronaut who has been tapped to become his country's first commander of the International Space Station. Alexander Gerst said the space station offers a unique opportunity to test the technology needed to explore other planets, especially if its lifetime is extended beyond 2020.
2016-05-18

US scientists say major earthquake likely in Jammu & Kashmir

New geologic mapping in the Himalayan mountains of Kashmir suggests that the region is ripe for a major earthquake that could endanger the lives of as many as a million people, according to an Oregon State University statement.
2016-05-18

Ocean on Jupiter’s moon may harbour life: Nasa

New Nasa study suggests that the Europa ocean on Jupiter's moon may harbour life. Scientists compared Europa's potential for producing hydrogen and oxygen with that of Earth and found that, on both worlds, oxygen production is about 10 times higher than hydrogen production.
2016-05-18

Artificial intelligence boosts key Bose-Einstein experiment

A team of scientists is using artificial intelligence (AI) to run a complex experiment to create an extremely cold gas trapped in a laser beam known as a Bose-Einstein condensate, replicating the experiment that won the 2001 Nobel Prize. This technology can be used in areas like minerals extraction.
2016-05-18

Inspired by spider webs, scientists create fibre that expand like solid and compress like liquid,

Scientists in London have developed a novel fibre inspired by the watery thread technology of spider webs. The novel properties rely on a subtle balance between fibre elasticity and droplet surface tension. The team was able to recreate this technique using oil droplets on a plastic filament.
2016-05-18

InIndia successfully test-fired indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II

India successfully test-fired indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile today from test range at Chandipur in Odisha. Last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully conducted on February 16, 2016 from same test range. Prithvi is India's first indigenously-built ballistic missiile.
2016-05-18

Magic mushrooms may ease severe depression: Study

Of 12 patients given the drug, all showed some decrease in symptoms of depression for at least three weeks. A small-scale pilot study of psilocybin's use in cases of treatment-resistant depression showed it was safe and effective.
2016-05-17

Scientists genetically engineer Zika virus clone

In a pioneering effort, a team of researchers has genetically engineered a clone of the Zika virus strain. This can help in the development of counter-measures to the disease.
2016-05-17

NASA deploys CubeSat to study Sun's soft x-rays

NASA has deployed a bread loaf-sized Miniature X-Ray Solar Spectrometer CubeSat from an airlock on the International Space Station to study the Sun's soft x-rays that can affect our communications systems. It will operate for up to 12 months.
2016-05-17

"Moon and Mars veggies" grow in Dutch greenhouse

Agricultural researchers at a Dutch university are taking steps towards the kind of vegetables that can grow in Martian and lunar soil. Wamelink is working on a type of container, buried underground and kitted out with solar panels and LED lighting.
2016-05-17

Life was more complex billion years ago than thought

A study published in Nature Communications Journal suggests that multi-cell eukaryotes had emerged a billion years ago, much before they are actually believed to have appeared. This would also mean that oxygen levels were 'sufficiently high' for such large organisms to subsist on earth back then.
2016-05-17

Cancer survivor receives first penis transplant in US

A man whose penis was removed because of cancer has received the first penis transplant in the United States, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Thomas Manning, 64, a bank courier, underwent the 15-hour transplant operation on May 8 and 9. The organ came from a deceased donor.
2016-05-17

IISc study unearths secrets of Gangotri

Scientists have found it difficult to conduct proper field studies of Gangotri glacier, source of the Ganges, all these years, mainly because of its sheer size and inaccessibility.But not any more now because IISc did it.
2016-05-16

Scientists claim key puzzle in brain tumor research deciphered

In its phase II of NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme, NASA is supporting the development of studies that help in creating 'magnetoshells' so that interplanetary habitats can be made to take humans to Mars. Each concept can be awarded $500,000 and a ten year concept maturation time.
2016-05-16

Cosmic dust unveils Earth's ancient atmosphere

A new study published in the reputed journal Nature suggests that ancient Earth's atmosphere contained almost the same amount of oxygen as today. This is revolutionary as it was believed that the oxygen levels some 2.7 billion years ago were much less than current levels.
2016-05-16

Genes linked with stress disorder identified

Scientists have identified two statistically significant genetic variants that may lead to an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published online in JAMA Psychiatry, was conducted in a massive analysis of DNA samples from more than 13,000 US soldiers.
2016-05-16

Isro's big leap, embarks on launching Indian space shuttle

For the very first time in its history, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to undertake the maiden launch of its very own indigenous version of a 'space shuttle', a fully made-in-India effort.
2016-05-15

Isro's big leap, embarks on launching Indian space shuttle

In its second martian year, NASA's Mars mission, curiosity has clocked the season cycle of the red planet. The local atmosphere in Mars is clear in winter, dustier in spring and summer, and windy in autumn, NASA scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2016-05-15

Isro's big leap, embarks on launching Indian space shuttle

In its second martian year, NASA's Mars mission, curiosity has clocked the season cycle of the red planet. The local atmosphere in Mars is clear in winter, dustier in spring and summer, and windy in autumn, NASA scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2016-05-15

Isro's big leap, embarks on launching Indian space shuttle

In its second martian year, NASA's Mars mission, curiosity has clocked the season cycle of the red planet. The local atmosphere in Mars is clear in winter, dustier in spring and summer, and windy in autumn, NASA scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2016-05-15

Isro's big leap, embarks on launching Indian space shuttle

For the very first time in its history, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to undertake the maiden launch of its very own indigenous version of a 'space shuttle', a fully made-in-India effort.
2016-05-15

NASA measures seasonal patterns in Mars atmosphere

In its second martian year, NASA's Mars mission, curiosity has clocked the season cycle of the red planet. The local atmosphere in Mars is clear in winter, dustier in spring and summer, and windy in autumn, NASA scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2016-05-14

Humans could have shaped the genetic history of camels: study

Scientists have linked the evolution of single-humped camels to their use by humans, as transportation in deserts. Long-distance, back-forth movements on caravan routes have shaped a camel's genetic diversity. With climate change and desertification, new interest is developing in its reproduction.
2016-05-14

Scientists identify protein to treat miscarriages

The pioneering study shows that a protein called Syncytin-1, which was the result of a viral infection of our primate ancestors 25 million years ago, is first secreted on the surface of a developing embryo even before it implants in the womb.
2016-05-13

Rare blue galaxy may shed new light on Big Bang

An observational study in Washington has found out that allowing teenagers to develop their own coping mechanisms for online risk situations is a better strategy rather than banning their internet usage altogether. The study observed 68 kids over a period of 2 months.
2016-05-13

Einstein's relativity theory still valid: study

An international team led by Japanese researchers has analyzed a 3D map of 3,000 galaxies that are 13 billion light years from Earth. It found that theoretical physicist Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity is still valid. Scientists have been testting this theory since the late 1990s.
2016-05-12

Solar Impulse 2 leaves Arizona on record-breaking flight

Solar Impulse 2 took off from Arizona to Oklahoma , resuming its record-breaking quest to circle the globe without consuming a drop of fuel. It is set to make more stops in the US before finally landing in New York, in the latest leg of their journey that kicked off in March 2015.
2016-05-12

Government proposes eight per cent hike in budget for space research

Jitendra Singh said that the proposed budget stands at Rs 7,509.14 crore to queries pertaining to amount of money spent on space research and whether government mulls increasing the allocations. This amount is about 8% increase compared to the revised estimate allocations made during 2015-16.
2016-05-11

New malaria vaccine offers durable protection in human trials

An experimental malaria vaccine has been found to protect a small number of healthy people from infection for more than one year after immunization, says a study. The vaccine, known as the PfSPZ Vaccine, was developed and produced by US-based pharmaceutical company Sanaria.
2016-05-10

Air on young Earth weighed less than half of today's: Researchers

New research has found evidence that the commonly accepted idea that the early Earth had a thicker atmosphere to compensate for weaker sunlight does not hold true. This has implications for studies on how biology and climate worked on the early planet.
2016-05-10

A rare celestial crossing: Mercury transit Sun on May 9

The transit of Mercury is a phenomenon in which the planet will be seen as a small black dot travelling from one end of the solar disc to the other, according to Sanjib Sen, Director, Positional Astronomy Centre. You will have the opportunity to witness one of the rare astronomical events - a transit of Mercury across the face of the Sun - on May 9. And if you miss it this time, you would be able to see it from India only after 16 years on November 13, 2032.
2016-05-09

Scientists peel back the carrot's genetic secrets

In a rare astronomical phenomenon that occurs only 13 times in a century, Mercury will be seen as dot on the solar disc today. This occurs only when Sun, Mercury and Earth are lined up in one plane. It appears as a dot on the disc because its angular size is very small compared to that of Sun.
2016-05-09

Stain on your shirt? Technology launched to make it clean itself

Nano Particles Allow Cloth To Remove Stains On Its Own
2016-05-08

ICAR looks at GM sugarcane option to ease water woes

Efforts are on to develop drought tolerant genetically modified (GM) sugarcane that will need less water for cultivation. The water guzzling sugarcane crop is blamed for worsening the acute water shortage in parched areas of Maharastra.
2016-05-08

World's first plant-eating marine reptile found

A bizarre crocodile-sized "hammerhead" creature, that lived 242 million years ago, may have been the earliest known example of a plant-eating marine reptile, researchers have said.
2016-05-07

World's largest particle smasher set to push physics into unknown

The world's most powerful proton smasher is preparing for its biggest run yet which scientists hope will uncover new particles that could dramatically change our understanding of the Universe.
2016-05-06

'Boaty McBoatface' sinks as UK names research ship

Britain will name a new marine research submarine "Boaty McBoatface" rather than giving it the joke name picked by the public for a much bigger ship, a minister announced .
2016-05-06

SpaceX successfully lands rockets first stage after space launch

SpaceX successfully landed the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean early after launching a Japanese communications satellite into orbit.
2016-05-06

Using ALMA, scientists get measure of monster black hole

Scientists have successfully measured a monster black hole sitting at the center of a galaxy 73 million light years away from earth. And, the metrics they found are mind-boggling: the black hole is about 660 million times as massive as our sun, and a cloud of gas is speeding around it at about 1.8 million kmph.
2016-05-06

Pluto's unique interaction with solar wind revealed

A new study has revealed that Pluto behaves less like a comet than expected and more like a planet in the way it interacts with the solar wind. Earlier, most researchers thought that Pluto was characterised more like a comet which has a large region of gentle slowing of the solar wind, as opposed to the abrupt diversion of solar wind like in other planets.
2016-05-06

ExxonMobil launches venture for low-cost carbon capture

Oil giant ExxonMobil said Thursday it was starting a new venture that could make carbon-dioxide capture a more economically attractive way to fight global warming.
2016-05-05

For first time, scientists grow two-week-old human embryos in lab

By using a culture method previously tested to grow mouse embryos outside of a mother, the teams were able to conduct almost hour by hour observations of human embryo development to see how they develop and organize themselves up to day 13.
2016-05-05

Phase II of ExoMars mission delayed to 2020

The second stage of a joint European-Russian mission to search for signs of life on Mars has been delayed from 2018 to 2020, the European Space Agency and Russia's Roscosmos said . The new planned launch date for the second ExoMars mission was July 2020.
2016-05-02

Phase two of ExoMars mission delayed to 2020

The second part of a joint European-Russian mission to probe Mars for traces of life has been delayed two years, with a new launch date set for July 2020, officials said .
2016-05-02

Qatar's prized racing camels bred for success

Deep in the Qatari desert, Musharif spends his afternoons "swimming" in a large pool that doubles as a jacuzzi, just one of the perks of being a racing camel.
2016-05-01

Aerial pesticide spraying may up autism risk in kids: Study

Using airplanes to spray anti-mosquito pesticides may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays among children, scientists, including one of Indian-origin have found.
2016-04-30

Kolkata witnesses rare ring around Sun

The phenomenon known as the 22 degree circular halo of the sun, occurs when the sun's or moon's rays get deflected/ refracted through the hexagonal ice crystals present in cirrus clouds. The halo was last observed in April 2013 in the suburbs of the city.
2016-04-30

Nasa knows about every eclipse in next 1,000 years

US space agency Nasa knows exact time, down to the fraction of a second, when eclipses will occur in next 1,000 years. It has kept a five millennium catalogue of all the eclipses (both solar and lunar) that have occurred or will occur from 1999 BC to the year AD 3000.
2016-04-30

Weasel temporarily shuts Large Hadron Collider

The world's largest atom smasher, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN outside of Geneva, has suspended operations because a weasel invaded a transformer that helps power the machine and set off an electrical outage night, a CERN spokesman said.
2016-04-30

El Nino dries up Asia as its stormy sister La Nina looms

Withering drought and sizzling temperatures from El Nino have caused food and water shortages and ravaged farming across Asia, and experts warn of a double-whammy of possible flooding from its sibling, La Nina.2016-04-29

Inhalation therapy is the best for treating asthma in children, doctors say

Inhalation therapy is the best in the battle against asthma in children as the medicine reaches the lungs immediately and it is safe, paediatric pulmonologist at Child Trust Hospital Dr S Balasubramanian has said.
2016-04-28

The turf battle for Qatar's 2022 World Cup

Watching grass grow is not usually considered exciting but there's currently a buzz of anticipation among Qatar's World Cup organisers about 12 different types of turf gently sprouting on former Doha farmland.2016-04-28

Japan gives up on failed black hole research satellite:Japan abandons $250mn black hole satellite

Japan's space agency said Thursday that a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar satellite sent to study mysterious black holes has failed, concluding a month-long effort to salvage the ambitious project closely watched across the globe.2016-04-28

First rocket launch from Russia's Vostochny after delay

Russia's new Vostochny cosmodrome hosted its first rocket launch Thursday, the Roscosmos space agency said, after a last-minute delay a day earlier led to President Vladimir Putin criticising the programme's officials. The Soyuz 2.2016-04-28
Source: The Times of India News

Monthly Science News 2016 Apr

Science News For The Month April

Kolkata witnesses rare ring around Sun

The phenomenon known as the 22 degree circular halo of the sun, occurs when the sun's or moon's rays get deflected/ refracted through the hexagonal ice crystals present in cirrus clouds. The halo was last observed in April 2013 in the suburbs of the city.
2016-04-30

Weasel temporarily shuts Large Hadron Collider

The world's largest atom smasher, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN outside of Geneva, has suspended operations because a weasel invaded a transformer that helps power the machine and set off an electrical outage on Thursday night, a CERN spokesman said.
2016-04-29

El Nino dries up Asia as its stormy sister La Nina looms

Temerloh, Malaysia, April 29, 2016 (AFP) -Withering drought and sizzling temperatures from El Nino have caused food and water shortages and ravaged farming across Asia, and experts warn of a double-whammy of possible flooding from its sibling, La Nina.
2016-04-29

Workers feeling the heat as climate change slashes productivity: report

Geneva, April 28, 2016 (AFP) -Climate change is exposing millions of workers to excessive heat, risking their health and income and threatening to erase more than $2.0 trillion in annual productivity by 2030, a UN report warned Thursday.
2016-04-28

Putin hails first rocket launch from new cosmodrome after delay

Russia launched the first rocket from its new Vostochny cosmodrome on Thursday, with President Vladimir Putin hailing the event after dressing down officials over a delay caused by a technical glitch.
2016-04-28

SpaceX vows to send capsule to Mars by 2018

SpaceX chief Elon Musk announced Wednesday that he will send an unmanned spaceship to Mars as early as 2018, as part of his quest to colonize the Red Planet some day.
2016-04-27

Chinese scientists claim first dogs originated in China

Chinese scientists claimed that dogs have originated in southern China some 33,000 years ago, disputing US research by Cornell University that domesticated dogs evolved 15,000 years ago in Central Asia. They also said Chinese dogs are genetically closest to gray wolves the modern dog's ancestor.
2016-04-27

Saturn's moon Titan has a methane sea, with methane wetlands on shores

Since arriving in the Saturn system, the Cassini spacecraft has revealed that more than 1.6 million square kilometers of Titan's surface -- almost two percent of the total -- are covered in liquid.
2016-04-27

Nasa astronauts prepare for flight on commercial spacecraft

Five years after the last Nasa astronauts flew from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to the International Space Station, a new group is preparing for a trip, this time on a private spacecraft. Test flights are likely to be launched in 2017
2016-04-27

Carbon dioxide making earth greener, reveals new research

Observations by Nasa satellites over the past 33 years show that there has been a steady increase in leaves on plants and trees, which scientists think is because of the higher CO2 levels. Leaves absorb CO2 and combine it with water to produce food for the plants.
2016-04-26

Einstein's theory of relativity faces satellite test

Einstein's theory suggests that in perfect free-fall, the two objects should move in exactly the same way. But if they are shown to behave differently "the principle will be violated: an event that would shake the foundations of physics", Arianespace added.
2016-04-26

Nasa set to put in the sky an array of new X-planes

Nasa scientists are preparing to put in the sky an array of new X-planes or experimental aircraft -including a quiet supersonic jet -to demonstrate advanced technologies that will push back the frontiers of av iation. Goals include showcasing how airliners can burn half the fuel and generate 75% less pollution during each flight as compared to now, while also being much quieter than today's jets -perhaps even when flying supersonic.
2016-04-25

Delay in diagnosis worsens drug-resistant TB in country

The universal DST is a part of the World Health Organisation's strategy to 'end TB by 2035'.Currently, a patient is first tested for simple TB that needs six to nine months of treatment.
2016-04-24

Space project aims for the stars, wants India on board

The $100-million revolutionary space programme Breakthrough StarShot, which envisages sending ultralight nano crafts to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri - 25 trillion miles away - will seek India's participation, executive director of the project S Pete Worden has said. 'Breakthrough StarShot', which will turn sci-fi into reality, involves a ground-based light-beamer pushing ultralight nano crafts-miniature space probes attached to light sails-to speeds up to 100 million miles an hour.
2016-04-24

Wives become less stressed after husband's death: Study

Wemba, born in 1949, was performing at the FEMUA 2016 festival when he collapsed on stage. He died before reaching hospital, a spokesman for the Ivosep morgue in Abidjan said. The new study found that while men suffer negative consequences when their wife dies, women appear to get healthier.
2016-04-24

Mice in space showed liver damage after two weeks

Lab mice that spent just two weeks in orbit showed early signs of liver damage upon returning to Earth, raising concern about what long-duration spaceflight might do to humans, researchers said Wednesday.
2016-04-20

World's oldest message in a bottle discovered

A 108-year-old postcard offering a shilling in exchange for its return to an English marine research institute is now officially the world's oldest message in a bottle after being recovered in Germany.
2016-04-20

Highlights of the climate pact to be signed in New York

Leaders and envoys from more than 160 countries will sign on Friday the climate-change pact the world adopted in principle in Paris last December. The Paris Agreement to try to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius was a stunning political victory for poor countries threatened by climate change. But scientists tasked with explaining how to get there are less than thrilled.
2016-04-20

Cassini captures speeding star dust grain

Alien dust in the solar system is not unanticipated. In the 1990s, the ESA/NASA Ulysses mission made the first in-situ observations of this material. Cassini was able to analyze the composition of the dust, showing it to be made of a very specific mixture of minerals, not ice.
2016-04-15

Zika causes severe birth defects, confirms US

US health officials have concluded that infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women causes birth defect microcephaly and other brain abnormalities in babies."It is now clear that Zika virus does cause microcephaly," said Tom Frieden, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2016-04-13

Human cloning with Chinese characteristics

China's top geneticists say the country should set its own standards and regulations on human genome research, state-run media reported Wednesday, as ethical debate erupted over a Chinese study on modified human embryos.
2016-04-13

Russian billionaire, Hawking unveil plan to reach Alpha Centauri

Billionaire Russian investor Yuri Milner and British cosmologist Stephen Hawking on Tuesday announced an ambitious new space initiative for a mission to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth.
2016-04-12

SpaceX delivers world's first inflatable room for astronauts

SpaceX has made good on a high-priority delivery: the world's first inflatable room for astronauts. A SpaceX Dragon cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station after launching from Cape Canaveral. Station astronauts used a robot arm to capture the Dragon, orbiting 400km above Earth.
2016-04-11

SpaceX cargo arrives at crowded space station

SpaceX's unmanned Dragon cargo ship, carrying lettuce seeds, lab mice and an inflatable pop-up room, arrived Sunday at a crowded International Space Station where six spacecraft are now docked.
2016-04-10

Nasa's planet-hunting spacecraft enters emergency mode

Nasa's Kepler spacecraft that hunts for Earth-like planets orbiting other stars has gone into emergency mode some 75 million miles from Earth, the US space agency said. This was found during a scheduled contact on April 7.
2016-04-10

North Pole had ice-free summers 6 to 10 million years ago: Study

Within a two-days coring action, researchers took 18 sediment cores from the Lomonosov Ridge. Although the recovered sediment cores were only four to eight metres long, one of them turned out to be precisely one of those climate archives that the scientists had been looking for a long time.
2016-04-09

Maternal obesity, poor nutrition impairs fertility in daughter

This discovery improves scientific understanding of the long-term, generational, effects of obesity and poor nutrition, researchers said. This understanding is the first step toward devising interventions to protect the fertility of females who experienced very difficult womb environments.
2016-04-09

SpaceX lands rocket on water for first time

SpaceX successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket on an ocean platform for the first time Friday, after launching a load of cargo for the astronauts living at the International Space Station.
2016-04-08

Sanders hopes to meet Pope on Vatican campaign break

Democratic White House hopeful Bernie Sanders said Friday he hopes to meet Pope Francis while attending a conference on social and environmental issues at the Vatican next week.
2016-04-08

Solar storm scientists prepare for geomagnetic event that could destroy technology across the world for years

Many people are still unconcerned or even unaware of the possibility of a geomagnetic storm coming from the sun that could cause huge damage to life on Earth. Such a possibility is referred to as a low probability but high-impact event that is being planned for by agencies like Nasa.
2016-04-08

Anti-ageing pill that could see humans living a decade longer moves a step closer

Experiments with fruit flies which also have the GSK-3 protein found that the molecule could be inhibited by low-level lithium use, which extended their lives by 16%. This has raised hopes that lithium could eventually be turned into a tablet to prolong human life.
2016-04-08

3D mini-retinas grown from human stem cells

Scientists have developed an efficient way to make 3D "mini retinas", which mimic the organ's tissue organisation, from mouse or human stem cells. The research offers new perspectives on the growth, injury and repair of retina the part of the eye that is sensitive to light.
2016-04-04

Rare white dwarf will reveal secrets of star evolution

Researchers from Brazil and Germany have discovered a white dwarf that contains no hydrogen or helium whatsoever. This will enable astronomers to study the exposed core of the star unimpeded by these gases, providing a unique view on the lives of stellar bodies in their final stages of existence.
2016-04-03

Moon plays key role in maintaining Earth's magnetic field

The Moon may play a major role in maintaining Earth's magnetic field that permanently protects us from the charged particles and radiation that originate in the Sun. The magnetic field is produced by the geodynamo, the rapid motion of huge quantities of liquid iron alloy in the Earth's outer core.
2016-04-03

Monthly Science News 2016 March

Science News For The Month March

Diminutive 'Hobbit' people vanished earlier than previously known

The extinct human species dubbed the "Hobbit" vanished from its home on the Indonesian island of Flores far earlier than previously thought, according to scientists our species may have had a hand in the demise of these diminutive people. The Hobbit's discovery in 2003 had created a scientific sensation.
2016-03-31

Clamp from IIT-M to help surgeons suture blood vessels

A tiny clip-like instrument, not larger than a thumb nail, sits on the table of senior plastic surgeon Dr V B Narayanamurthy who works at Global Hospitals.
2016-03-30

Mysterious planet is to blame for mass extinctions of life on Earth, scientist claims

A mysterious, hidden planet that could be sitting on the edge of our solar system might be linked with periodic extinctions on Earth, according to a researcher. Planet 9 has been said by some to exist for years.
2016-03-30

Diabetes will be world's seventh largest killer unless efforts are made to curb it: WHO

Ahead of World Health Day, the World Health Organisation has urged countries to take concerted steps towards controlling diabetes, a disease which has reached "epidemic proportions."
2016-03-30

Single-shot, long-term male contraception in the offing

A new single injection male contraceptive may provide rapid, durable and potentially reversible birth control for about a year, a new study has claimed, ahead of its first human clinical trial this year. Men currently have few options for reproductive control, including condoms and vasectomy.
2016-03-30

3D models show how giant dinosaurs evolved

Scientists have developed 3D computer models of the bodies of the gigantic sauropod dinosaurs to analyse how their size, shape and weight-distribution evolved over time.
2016-03-30

Are you a believer or an atheist? It's all in your brain

While scientists and faithfuls will ensure that the debate on the existence of a universal spirit -- call it God or a supernatural force -- goes on, a research study has revealed that the conflict between science and religion has its roots in your brain.
2016-03-30

Humans, 'unicorns' may have walked Earth at same time: study

A long-extinct animal known as the Siberian unicorn -- which was actually a long-horned rhinoceros -- may have walked the Earth 29,000 years ago, at the same time as prehistoric humans, researchers say.
2016-03-29

GMSH to get platelet separation machine

Soon, the only government hospital in the city, Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, which did not have the facility of separation of platelets, will be equipped with a cell separator.
2016-03-29

Many in US ignorant of key facts on Zika virus: study

Miami, March 29, 2016 (AFP) -Many Americans are unclear on key facts about the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects and is of particular concern to pregnant women, US researchers said Tuesday, warning of a race against time.
2016-03-29

Will it hurt? Uncertainty is worst of all, says study

Paris, March 29, 2016 (AFP) -Not knowing if a decision will provoke pain is more stressful than correctly anticipating the outcome, even when that outcome hurts like hell, according to a study released Tuesday.
2016-03-29

How human body ages explained

Japanese scientists have discovered metabolites; a substances created during metabolism, that are specifically related to ageing and shed light on how the human body ages. The decline in antioxidants and muscle strength suggest that it is important for individuals to consume foods high in antioxidants and to continue exercising,
2016-03-29

Japan's high life expectancy linked to diet, study finds

The population of the island nation, which has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, eat diets high in certain carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits as well as fish and meat. Such foods make for a diet low in saturated fats, processed foods and high in carbohydrates gained from both rice and vegetables.
2016-03-29

Indian doctors develop technology for cancer treatment

A team of Indian scientists from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School have made an important breakthrough by developing a nano-technology which will help monitor the effectiveness of cancer therapy within hours of treatment.
2016-03-29

'Sunbathing may up life expectancy'

Women who sunbathe might live longer despite risk of melanoma, researchers have found.
2016-03-29

Planet Nine: Scientists find more evidence that hidden planet is sitting at the edge of our solar system

Objects have been spotted moving around unusually at the edge of our solar system. And the best explanation for the strange orbits is the mysterious Planet Nine, according to one of the scientists who has argued that the hidden planet exists.
2016-03-28

Why do bridesmaids all dress the same?

Some believe that the bridesmaids were essentially bait for evil spirits and jilted ex-lovers who were attracted by the spectacle of the wedding party and sought to wreak havoc. A group of women dressed the same distract the wrong-doers, and enable the couple to wed without interruption, Mental Floss reported.
2016-03-28

Sun may produce devastating superflares

The Sun is capable of producing monstrous eruptions or superflares that can not only break down radio communication and power supplies, but also affect Earths ability to support life, scientists say.
2016-03-27

Over 40-min afternoon nap ups risk of premature death

Taking a nap lasting more than 40 minutes can raise your risk of premature death, new research has suggested.
2016-03-27

Gas giant planet discovered near Milky Way's bulge

Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have detected what appears to be a Saturn-like planet residing near the Milky Way galaxy's bulge. The newly discovered exoplanet has a mass somewhere between Saturn and Jupiter and orbits a star with half the mass of the Sun, scientists said.
2016-03-27

New material to detect fuel leaks, explosives

Scientists have developed a new type of fibre material for a handheld scanner that can detect leaks in oil pipelines and planes, or locate fuel-based explosives. Alkane fuel is a key ingredient in combustible material such as gasoline, airplane fuel, oil - even a homemade bomb.
2016-03-27

Nasa to undertake globe-spanning research campaigns

Nasa is sending scientists around the world this year - from the edge of the Greenland ice sheet to the coral reefs of the South Pacific - to study how our planet is changing and what impact humans are having on it.
2016-03-26

Tooth loss linked to cognitive impairment, dementia

We are often ignorant about loss of teeth but preserving oral health can benefit you in a longer run. According to researchers, loss of teeth is linked to increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia in adults.
2016-03-26

'Turmeric may help overcome drug-resistant TB'

2016-03-26

Prolonged sitting causes 4% of deaths

2016-03-26

Ladakh to get world's largest telescope?

India may be home to the world's largest telescope project - the $1.47-billion Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) International Observatory.
2016-03-25

Malaria first spread from birds: Study

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through mosquitoe bites, started out as a parasite in birds, and then it evolved to colonise bats, and from there it has evolved to affect other mammals, reveals a new study.
2016-03-25

What believing in God does to your brain

Humans suppress areas of the brain used for analytical thinking and engage the parts responsible for empathy in order to believe in god, research suggests.
2016-03-25

Dark chocolate can boost your workout

Adding a little dark choc olate to a training diet may effortlessly improve endurance performance, according to a new study of sports nutrition.The findings provide ammunition both for athletes looking for an edge and those hoping for an excuse to indulge.
2016-03-25

Experts stress on better diagnostic algorithm to fight multi-drug resistance to TB

Highlighting the growing menace of multi-drug resistant TB, they stressed several gaps to be addressed, from TB diagnosis to management, achieving 100% diagnosis and preventing patients from dropping off treatment, midway.
2016-03-24

Moon's 'wandering poles' shifted long ago, study finds

Telltale patches of water ice on opposite ends of our Moon reveal that Earth's orbiting companion once spun on a different axis, according to a study released on Wednesday. The six-degree tilt, which happened billion years ago, was likely caused by an ancient volcanic formation on the near side of Moon.
2016-03-24

Heavy social media users 'trapped in endless cycle of depression'

The more time young adults spend on social media, the more likely they are to become depressed, a study has found.
2016-03-24

'Superstorm' climate shift can happen within decades not centuries, climate scientists warn

Climate scientists are warning the threat of global warming could be even more dangerous than previously believed, suggesting killer storms, the rise of sea levels and the disintegration of large parts of the polar ice sheets can happen sooner than thought.
2016-03-24

Prague zoo finds new use of elephant dung--making paper

At first, their elephant dung was sold to gardeners as fertilizer. Now Prague Zoo has come up with a new use for it: making paper.
2016-03-24

Fish fatty acids could reduce depression

Additionally, this study underscores the importance of EPA and DHA omega-3s for overall health and well-being, and supports an existing body of research on the connection between omega-3s and depression.
2016-03-23

New gene identified as cause, early indicator of breast cancer

The gene GT198, whether mutated by genetics and/or environmental factors, has strong potential as both as a way to diagnose breast cancer early and as a new treatment target, said a press release from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
2016-03-23

Brain tries to forget as well: Study

Interestingly, this active push for forgetting only happens in learning situations. When the scientists blocked the main route into the hippocampus under other circumstances, the strength of its connections remained unaltered.
2016-03-23

Most outrageously luminous galaxies ever discovered

Astronomers have observed the most luminous galaxies ever seen in the universe. Researchers used the 50-metre diameter Large Millimetre Telescope ” located on the summit of Mexico's Sierra Negra ” the largest and most sensitive single-aperture instrument in the world for studying star formation.
2016-03-23

Research shows humans and lions can coexist

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have been able to answer the question that says that humans and lions can coexist through the creation of community conservancies - privately protected areas that engage local people in conservation and ecotourism.
2016-03-23

British troops test Harry Potter-like invisibility cloak

New York/ British troops are testing a Harry Potter-style "invisibility cloak" in the US that allows them to hide from the enemy with soldiers hailing it as a "brilliant piece".
2016-03-23

Elimination of HIV from DNA raises hope for AIDS cure

Using a specialised gene editing system, scientists have shown that they can eliminate HIV from the DNA of human cells, paving the way for a cure for AIDS patients.
2016-03-23

Myth busted: Booze offers no net health benefits

Researchers at University of Victoria in British Columbia examined 87 studies on the relationship between alcohol and mortality that involved nearly four million people.
2016-03-23

4 of 6 drugs ineffective in 70% of deadly TB cases, Mumbai doctors say

Four of the six drugs given to patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) could be ineffective in nearly 70% of patients, a study by Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital has revealed.
2016-03-22

Smaller species may go extinct without fossil trace

Many of the species now perishing due to the ongoing sixth mass-extinction event, especially the smaller ones, may vanish without a permanent trace, says researchers. The fossil record is much more durable than any human record, said one of the researchers.
2016-03-22

New gravity map provides best view yet inside Mars

Scientists have created the most detailed map of Mars' gravity using data from 3 Nasa spacecrafts. The new map will be helpful for future Mars exploration, because better knowledge of the planet's gravity anomalies helps mission controllers insert spacecraft more precisely into orbit about Mars.
2016-03-22

Humanoid robot works in therapy for children with autism

Scientists have created a robot with artificial intelligence that teaches children with autism to recognise facial expressions in people. Children with autism have special difficulty in expressing emotions, usually have no social skills and face major problems when communicating.
2016-03-21

Rare comet 'twins' zip past Earth

Comet 252P/LINEAR, approximately 750 feet in size, zip past Earth on 21 at a range of about 5.2 million kms. On 22, comet P/2016 BA14 safely flied by our planet at a distance of about 3.5 million kms.
2016-03-21

Can birdsong help us with speech disorders?

According to a recent study, birdsong could offer clues to human speech disorders that accompany several common neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
2016-03-21

Cern laboratory made famous for work on Large Hadron Collider embroiled in homophobia row

One of the worlds largest projects for scientific co-operation, the Cern laboratory in Geneva, has become embroiled in a divisive row over homophobia. The laboratory was used by scientists to prove the existence of the sub-atomic Higgs boson particle.
2016-03-21

117 light years away, a 'most eccentric' planet

Researchers have spotted an extrasolar planet, about 117 light years from Earth, that boasts the most eccentric orbit ever seen.
2016-03-21

Miracle drug for resistant TB rolled out

A miracle drug to battle multi-drug resistant tuberculosis MDR-TB, and extensively-drug resistant TB (XDR-TB), had been rolled out on 21 Mar in six public hospitals across the country.
2016-03-20

Unisex contraceptives one step closer to reality

Scientists have found a switch that triggers the 'power kick' sperms use to fertilise a human egg, uncovering a likely source of male infertility and a target for contraceptives that work in both men and women.
2016-03-20

First day of spring: What is the Vernal Equinox?

The first day of astronomical spring in the northern hemisphere in 2016 is on 20 March as it is the day when daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal length. It typically happens on 19, 20 or 21 March every year.
2016-03-20

NASA scientists reveal Pluto and its moons

NASA scientists associated with interplanetary space probe New Horizons have revealed the former "astronomer's planet" and its "intriguing system of small moons" in a comprehensive set of papers describing results from last summer's Pluto system flyby.
2016-03-20

Nap, so coffee can keep you awake

Coffee lovers of the world know that their morn ing cup contains a substance to be reckoned with. Caffeine is so effective at juicing our energy and productivity that until 2004, its intake was restricted by the International Olympic Committee.
2016-03-20

Source of unprecedented energy found in Milky Way

A source of cosmic rays radiating energies 100 times greater than those achieved at the largest terrestrial particle accelerator - the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) - has been found in the innermost region of our Milky Way galaxy.
2016-03-19

Early Earth may have been colder than thought

Our planet's first organisms may have formed in an ice cold ocean, according to a new study which contradicts the old concept that Earth's early oceans were very hot, reaching 80 degrees Celsius, and that life originated in these conditions.
2016-03-19

'Grandpa' astronaut to break Kelly's record

A grandfather of three is poised to blast into space and the record books on 18 Mar, becoming the American astronaut who has spent the longest time in space, Nasa said.
2016-03-18

High coronary calcium may signal increased risk of cancer

A 10-year follow-up study of over 6,000 people who underwent heart CT scans suggests that a high coronary artery calcium score puts people at greater risk not only for heart and vascular disease but also for cancer, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2016-03-18

US made dengue vaccine 100 percent effective in small study

A dengue vaccine developed by US National Institutes of Health scientists protected everyone given the shot against the virus in a promising small study published on 16 Mar, with the researchers saying it could become widely available by 2018.
2016-03-16

Students generate electricity from waste tomatoes

A group of students in the US has used waste tomatoes to generate electricity. Large amounts of damaged tomatoes are thrown away in the US because they are not considered fit for grocery stores. This inspired Namita Shreshtha of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to collaborate with researchers from Princeton University and Florida Gulf Coast University to devise a pilot fuel cell running on tomatoes.
2016-03-16

Black hole 'eruptions' from V404 Cygni burn as bright as 1,000 suns

The black hole, named V404 Cygni, lies 7,800 light years away from Earth (or about 46 quadrillion miles), and is thought to have started flashing after spitting out jets of matter which it could not swallow.
2016-03-16

Milky Way has 58 billion red dwarf stars, study finds

Two astronomy students from Leiden University have for the first time estimated that there are 58 billion dwarf stars in the entire Milky Way Galaxy. This result is the most comprehensive model ever for the distribution of these stars. The findings appear in a new paper in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
2016-03-16

A bizman plans 'digital immortality'

A billionaire Russian businessman is making it his life's goal to stay alive forever by uploading his brain into a computer. Dmitry Itskov is the founder of the 2045 Intiative, an organisation working with a network of scientists to develop 'cybernetic immortality' within the next few decades.
2016-03-15

Pay with a selfie? Amazon files patent for new service

Amazon wants you to start paying for goods with a selfie. It concerns a payment method using selfies, where buyers are required to send two photos: one selfie and one in which they blink, smile or tilt their head to confirm that they are real and not a picture.
2016-03-15

New model to decode invisible dark matter

Researchers have presented a new model for what dark matter might be, a discovery that can lead scientists to invisible dark matter that is all around us yet no one has ever seen it and no one knows what it really is.
2016-03-15

After cough syrups, 500 more drugs, including antibiotics and anti-diabetic drugs, may face ban

Around 500 more medicines, including popular antibiotics and anti-diabetic drugs, may soon face a ban for being irrational, unsafe and inefficacious, official sources said. The health ministry,is evaluating a list of over 6,000 products.
2016-03-14

Europe-Russia mission blasts off on hunt for life on Mars

A joint European-Russian mission aiming to search for traces of life on Mars blasted off for the start of a 7-month unmanned space trip to the red planet. The ExoMars 2016 mission is the first part of a 2-phase exploration aiming to answer questions about the existence of life on Earth's neighbour.
2016-03-14

IISc develops a powerful microscope out of a simple smart phone

The Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has transformed a simple smart phone into a powerful microscope by replacing the camera with high resolution optics of a microscope.
2016-03-14

Human DNA to help create faster, cheaper chips soon

DNA, the genetic material of life, may help engineers build faster, cheaper computer chips by forming specific shapes through a process reminiscent of the ancient art of paper folding, researchers report.
Scientists has opened a door to faster, cheaper computer chips with the help of 'DNA origami.' "We would like to use DNA's very small size, base-pairing capabilities and ability to self-assemble, and direct it to make nanoscale structures that could be used for electronics," Adam T. Woolley said.
2016-03-14

Pig corneas help restore eyesight

Bio-Engineering Tech Helps Boy In China See Again, May Help Millions Worldwide. A 14-year-old boy regained his sight after receiving a pig cornea transplant. The boy had injured his right eye with a firecracker during New Year celebrations.
2016-03-13

New immune mechanism to protect from cancer identified

For the first time, researchers have identified a new innate immunity pathway that protects mammals from viral oncogenesis, the process by which viruses cause normal cells to become cancerous. The discovery is significant and could contribute to development of new cancer therapies, researchers said.
2016-03-13

Kinky sex is normal, says study

The number of sexual fetishes considered anomalous in psychiatry are actually common in the general population, a study has found. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), sexual interests fall into two categories: normal (normophilic) and anomalous (paraphilic). Researchers asked 1,040 Quebec residents, representative of the general population, about their experiences of sexual behaviour considered abnormal by the DSM-5.
2016-03-12

Airlander 10: World's largest aircraft prepares to take to the skies

The Airlander 10 “ part-plane, part-airship, and all of 90m long “ is being assembled by the firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) on a site that has been associated with airships since 1915 when Shorts built the first giant hangar to build the R-31 and R-32.
2016-03-12

Moonquakes: CSIR-NGRI scientists find young faults

A team of scientists has discovered a few new, hitherto undetected, seismically active zones on the Moon, having proximity to the south polar region on lunar far side.
2016-03-12

Nasa finds giant 'bite mark' on Pluto's surface

The methane-ice rich surface of Pluto may be sublimating away into the atmosphere, exposing a layer of water-ice underneath, Nasa said. The image captured by Nasa shows the cratered plateau uplands, informally named Vega Terra, far in the western hemisphere of Pluto.
2016-03-12

Astronaut Scott Kelly retiring after longest US space mission

The astronaut who holds the American record for most time spent in space, Scott Kelly, will retire from Nasa on April 1.
2016-03-12

World's thinnest lens created by Aus scientists

Australian scientists have claimed to have created the world's thinnest lens which is 2,000 times thinner than human hair, a breakthrough set to revolutionise nanotechnology.
2016-03-11

Bacteria colonies develop collective memories

In a finding that reminds one of sci-fi stories, scientists from Swiss research institutes have found that groups of bacteria develop a collective memory for bad things that happen in the past. Individual bacterial cells do not display such memories.
2016-03-11

New Nasa technology to better measure Earth's orientation

Nasa has developed advanced technology for making precise measurements of Earth's orientation and rotation - information that will help provide a foundation for navigation of all space missions and for geophysical studies.
2016-03-11

Found: A way to make plastic from CO2 & agricultural waste

Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have discovered a new way to make plastic from carbon dioxide and agricultural waste and grasses, that may dramatically lower carbon footprint of the plastic industry
2016-03-10

Kidney transplant now possible from any donor

Now, in a revolutionary study, researchers have successfully altered patients immune system to allow them to accept kidneys from an incompatible donor.
2016-03-10

Mysterious extinction of prehistoric marine reptiles explained

One of the enduring mysteries of paleontology, the demise of a group of dolphin-like marine reptiles called ichthyosaurs may finally have been solved. Scientists attributed their extinction 94 million years ago to the combination of global warming and their own failure to evolve swiftly enough.
2016-03-10

First uterus transplant in US has failed

The failure occurred only a day after the clinic held a news conference to describe what had seemed to be a successful transplant, with remarks from members of the surgical team and a brief appearance by the patient, who asked to be identified only as Lindsey.
2016-03-10

Newly-discovered Australian spider can swim and eat toads

The creature was named after Brian Greene, the famed string theorist and Columbia University professor who founded the festival in 2008. The spider is around the size of your palm, a locates its prey by detecting vibrations and tiny waves in water while skimming around on the surface.
2016-03-10

Nasa reschedules launch of troubled Mars lander to 2018

US space agency Nasa said on Wednesday that its Mars lander is now targeting a new launch window that begins May 5, 2018, with a Mars landing scheduled for November 26, 2018.
2016-03-10

Butterfly with 15 photoreceptors that can see UV, polarized light found

Scientists have found that a butterfly species from Australasia - Graphium sarpedon or common blueblottle - has 15 classes of light-detecting cells or photoreceptors, enabling them to see fast moving objects better than the human eye and even distinguish ultraviolet and polarized light.
2016-03-09

Tall people more likely to be successful in life, study finds

The findings, based on data from 120,000 Britons, are the strongest evidence yet that size matters when it comes to future success. Such conclusions are likely to resonate with Marco Rubio, Trumps rival for the Republican Presidential nomination.
2016-03-09

Asteroid could be about to wipe out life on Earth, online pastor says in video that is almost certainly false

The rock, known as 2013 TX68, is almost certainly going to pass by us without making any difference to life on Earth. But an internet pastor claims otherwise. "The end times are here, said Anita Fuentes in a video that was reported by The Sun. It could be the last hour, the last second.
2016-03-09

Cannabis myths: Seven rumours about legalisation, crime and addiction debunked

A study compared long-term, heavy cannabis users (individuals aged 30-55 who had smoked cannabis a mean of 18,000 times and a minimum of 5,000 times in their lives) to an age-matched group of subjects who had smoked at least once but no more than 50 times in their lives.
2016-03-09

Dust particles on Earth came from star explosions?

This explosion nearly five billions years ago would have ejected stellar material in the form of gas and dust into the space between stars in the galaxy. Some of that material would have been used in the creation of our solar system.
2016-03-09

Gravitational waves decoded: When Einstein got it right

On February 11, 2016, scientists announced that they had detected 'gravitational waves', something that people had been looking for a century since Albert Einstein first suggested that they should exist, back in 1916. The scientists had recorded a blip or a 'chirp' (like a bird's sound) from gravity waves that started 1.3 billion years ago when two black holes collided and merged into one.
2016-03-08

Pluto might be about to become a planet again

As part of the New Horizons mission - which has already found far more complexity on Pluto than had been expected - scientists have spotted cloud-like parts of the images released from the mission. That could mean that the planet has an even richer atmosphere than had been thought.
2016-03-08

People who love chocolate are more likely to be clever

The researchers incorporated a new questionnaire “ gathering all sorts of information about dietary habits “ into the sixth wave of their data collection, which spanned the five years between 2001 and 2006 (there have been seven waves in all, each conducted in five-year intervals).
2016-03-08

Gene behind evolution of intelligent life identified

Scientists have identified a common ancestral gene that enabled the evolution of advanced life more than a billion years ago, and without which life on our planet would probably still be bacterial slime.
2016-03-07

Rare 'Curious Marie' from early solar system discovered

Scientists have discovered evidence in a meteorite that a rare radioactive element, curium, was present during the formation of our solar system, ending a 35-year-old debate.
2016-03-06

Work, view of Himalayan lakes kept Scott Kelly sane on ISS

The view of rainbow-hued Himalayan lakes and steady work helped Scott Kelly stay sane during the 340 days he spent aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the NASA astronaut said days after returning to Earth from the record-setting mission.
2016-03-05

Sarcasm increases creativity and psychological well-being, say academics

Virtually everything Groucho Marx said, the way he said it and what he was doing while saying it, was a form of sarcasm. A lazy journalist would take that cue to just fill up the rest of an article with old Marx Brothers lines, but not this one.
2016-03-05

Genes that created complex life on Earth found

One of the ancient genes that enabled evolution of complex life on Earth, breaking out of the primitive mould of single cell life, has been found by researchers at the University of British Columbia. The gene is found in all complex organisms, including plants and animals.
2016-03-04

Methane spotted on Pluto's snowcapped peaks

Scientists have discovered a chain of exotic snowcapped mountains stretching across the dark expanse on Pluto, informally named "Cthulhu Regio", that has methane -- an important trace gas in Earth's atmosphere.
2016-03-04

Tiny dragonfly is the world's long distance traveling champion

A type of dragonfly seems to have taken the record for the worlds longest travel as it migrates from continent to continent according to new research done by biologists of Rutgers University, Newark, US.
2016-03-03

First gene behind grey hair discovered

Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have discovered the first gene responsible for greying hair, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments to delay or block the process.
2016-03-02

After record 340 days in ISS, US astronaut back on Earth

Kelly, who spent the time about 400 km above the planet aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and the Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko landed on Tuesday at 11.26 pm Eastern on Wednesday (10 am IST) in Kazakhstan.
2016-03-02

IISC scientist's invention to make researches safer

A researcher of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, claims to have developed a stain (dye used for staining microscopic specimens), tinto rang, which is safe even on consumption. The invention can contribute a lot to researches as carcinogenic acid stains are widely used in researches.
2016-03-02

Stress causes faster spread of cancer

Cancer cells spread faster through the body when the patient is suffering from stress, according to new research carried out at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
2016-03-02

'Long-term stress erodes short-term memory

Experts have long blamed stress for heart diseases, stroke, depression among many other diseases, but a new American study claims stress can literally wipe out memories.
2016-03-02

Belle II's SuperKEKB reaches test operation stage, eight Indian institutions involved in project

Eight Indian academic institutions, including four IITs, have contributed to yet another international scientific collaboration - the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB accelerator in Japan.
2016-03-02

Two spacemen back home after year aloft: 'We did it!'

Astronaut Scott Kelly returned to Earth after an unprecedented year in space for Nasa, landing in barren Kazakhstan with a Russian cosmonaut who shared his whole space station journey.
2016-03-02

A celestial spectacle on March 9

A total solar eclipse will occur on March 9 but will be seen as a partial solar eclipse at sunrise from most places in India except from north-west and western parts of the country.
2016-03-01

Budget 2016 gives Major boost to Department of Space

Of the Rs 7509 crore budget allocation, Rs 1509 crore has been earmarked for different projects
2016-03-01

Deep-ocean sound waves may aid tsunami detection

Acoustic-gravity waves are very long sound waves that cut through the deep ocean at the speed of sound.
2016-03-01

NASA plans supersonic passenger jet

US space agency NASA announced that it is planning to build a supersonic passenger jet which will be as quiet and efficient as possible. Concorde, the last of the commercial supersonic flights ceased operations following an accident in 2003.
2016-03-01

India to establish lab to study gravitational waves: Narendra Modi

India has decided to establish a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) where gravitational waves can be studied, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday. In his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, Modi said Indian scientists were also in the research team that studied gravitational waves.
2016-02-28

Why planes dim their lights when landing

The custom of dimming lights for landing is a security measure which has long perplexed many aeroplane passengers. Many travellers are unclear if its meant to force those on board to put down their books or phones and pay attention, or if the lighting is simply a ploy by airline staff to ensure a dramatic finale when they finally touch down.
2016-02-27

Source: Times of India News

Monthly Science News 2016 February

Rare nine crore-year-old coral fossil found in Narmada valley

In a rare discovery, palaeontologists have stumbled upon a nine crore-year-old rare coral fossil similar to that of brain coral in Bagh beds of Narmada valley region.
2016-02-29

NASA invites India to jointly explore Mars, send astronauts

2016-02-28

Asteroid 2013 TX68 may impact Earth in 2017: Nasa

Nasa has dramatically changed its mind about the risks posed by asteroid 2013 TX68, a 100ft-wide rock which is currently heading towards the Earth.
 2016-02-28

India to establish lab to study gravitational waves: Narendra Modi

India has decided to establish a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) where gravitational waves can be studied, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced . In his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, Modi said Indian scientists were also in the research team that studied gravitational waves.
2016-02-28

Study finds a link between oral bacteria and oesophageal cancer

2016-02-28

The left half - right half divide in human brains is a myth, scientist says

It is a common belief that left and right halves of brains have opposing skill sets. However, Jeffrey Anderson, a leading scientist from the University of Utah, has conducted research to compare how different sides operate and confirmed that the left-right, creative-logic dichotomy is simply a myth.
2016-02-28

The wealthier you are, the more you chase well-being, says survey

A recent survey on womens health across five countries, including India, has confirmed what weve known all along: that wealth and well-being go hand in hand.
2016-02-27

Vision impairment of over 100 million people correctable: Study

Nearly 108 million people in the world are suffering from correctable vision impairment, a global study has estimated. Uncorrected refractive error (URE); nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other focusing problems are correctable, according to the study.
2016-02-27

Why planes dim their lights when landing, according to a pilot

The custom of dimming lights for landing is a security measure which has long perplexed many aeroplane passengers. Many travellers are unclear if its meant to force those on board to put down their books or phones and pay attention, or if the lighting is simply a ploy by airline staff to ensure a dramatic finale when they finally touch down.
2016-02-27

Chinese researchers in South Pole expedition grow vegetables

For the first time, Chinese scientists taking part in a 400-day South Pole research expedition could eat fresh vegetables grown regularly on-site. Wang Zheng, the grower came home last month from Antarctica. It is similar to The Martian, a sci-fi movie, where astronaut goes potatoes on Mars.
2016-02-27

Bacteria overgrowth could be major cause of stunting in children

A study conducted in neighbouring Bangladesh has shown that excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine of children could be the reason for stunted growth.
2016-02-27

British scientists say depleting enzyme hastens aging

British scientists have identified a key enzyme whose activity levels diminishes with age, triggering wrinkles and drooping of skin. Their study, published online in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, could pave the way for newer anti-aging therapies.
2016-02-27

New Penn study links moving more with longer life

Every bit of activity counts. People who walk around, wash dishes or sweep the floor are likely to live longer than people who sit at a desk, concluded a new research at the University of Pennsylvania.
2016-02-27

Pollinators no. falls, to hit global food supply

Study Says Crop Production Worth $577Bn Faces Risk
2016-02-26

Ray of hope: Doctors perform 1st uterus transplant in US

Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic have performed the first uterus transplant in the US, the clinic announced .
2016-02-26

Computer tablets, smartphones can empower people with intellectual disabilities, says research

New research from Concordia University in Montreal shows that digital devices such as tablets and smartphones can go a long way in helping people with intellectual disabilities face up to the stigma of their condition.
2016-02-26

Single human antibody shows promise against Ebola

A single monoclonal antibody isolated from a human survivor of Ebola virus disease completely protects monkeys from the lethal virus, and promises a potential treatment for infected humans, a new research shows. The antibody mAb114 was effective even when given five days after exposure to the virus.
2016-02-26

˜As happy for LIGO as I was for my prediction 45 years ago

Professor CV Vishveshwara, 77, is a quiet man bubbling with potential energy which is only a question away from being converted into kinetic. Physics has kept him active for over five decades now and the announcement made by scientists from the Laser Interferometric Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project on February 11 has added a new spring to his life.
2016-02-26

Scott Kelly poised to set NASA record for consecutive days in space

, Scott Kelly is to turn over command of the International Space Station to his fellow NASA astronaut Timothy L Kopra and climb into a Russian Soyuz capsule. A few hours later, he will land in Kazakhstan, ending 340 consecutive days in space ” a record for a NASA astronaut.
2016-02-26

Zika virus linked to stillbirth: Study

According to a recent study, Zika virus could lead stillbirth among other physical and neurological disorders. It is the first report to indicate a possible association of congenital Zika virus and damage to tissues outside the central nervous system, said Yale researchers.
2016-02-26

Students ready with satellite to study pollution

D V A Raghava Murthy, who retired last month as the head of earth observation systems, Isro, said the engineering model of SB Sat was undergoing tests and is ready for clearance of the flight model.
2016-02-26

The language you speak does not change how you hear music, study finds

A study on bilingual English and German speakers found that when speaking English, they were more action-orientiated than when speaking German.
2016-02-26

Fast radio bursts: Scientists hint at source of universes most mysterious message

Scientists have found the source of the universes most mysterious message, tracing it to two colliding stars far away from us. Scientists have been hunting for years for the source of fast radio bursts ” strange messages that come to us from deep in the universe. They sometimes last for less than a millisecond, and scientists have been able to learn very little about why they are happening or where they might be coming from.
2016-02-26

Ageing skin may become a thing of the past as scientists hail breakthrough in fight against wrinkles

2016-02-26

A robot that has fun at telemarketers expense

By night, Roger Anderson wages battles against evil telemarketers, tweaking and honing a robot that can talk endlessly to telemarketers, wasting their time so they dont have to waste yours.
2016-02-25

New bio-inspired material to harvest water from thin air

Harvard scientists have designed a new material inspired by organisms such as cacti, pitcher plants and desert beetles that can effectively harvest water from thin air. The research is the first step towards developing a system that can efficiently collect water and guide it to a reservoir, researchers said.
2016-02-25

Using thin avatars in gaming can help you stay fit

Gamers who use thin avatars show increased physical activity compared to those who use obese avatars, a new study has found.
2016-02-25

Moon to eclipse Aldebaran in night sky

The moon will hide star Aldebaran (Rohini Nakshtra) in March in an interesting astronomical phenomenon.The event will take place close to 8pm in India on March 14.
2016-02-25

Has LIGO proved Indian black hole experts 45-yr-old prediction?

LIGOs finding hasnt just proved Einstein right, according to Research Collective Gubbi Labs, whose statement has claimed that the finding of gravitational waves has proved an important concept predicted by Bengaluru-based scientist CV Vishveshwara, a black holes experts.
2016-02-25

Talcum powder and the Big C

This question must have troubled everyone who read the front-page news of an American court asking Johnson & Johnson company to pay $72 million of damages to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to her use of the company's talc-based baby powder and Shower to Shower for decades.
2016-02-25

National Science Festival to showcase 200 projects on 27th

NES International School Mumbai - IB World School in association with South Asian IB Schools Association (SAIBSA) is hosting the NES National Science Festival, A tribute to Nobel Laureate Sir C.V. Raman on his discovery of Raman Effect since last 5 years
2016-02-25

Huge fireball explodes over Atlantic as meteor strikes

A meteor flew into the atmosphere about 960 km off the coast of Brazil. As it did so, it exploded in the air and unleashed a huge blaze in the Atlantic sky, unleashing the same amount of energy as the first atomic bomb, but nobody was really around to see it.
2016-02-25

Startup puts diagnostic lab on a chip

Bengaluru-based biotech start-up Achira Labs, which boasts of 25 patents for six unique inventions, says has mastered the technique of lab-on-chip with their product -- Acix 100-- which will hit the market mid 2016, while their silk stiprs for diabetes, HIV and other tests is the next in the line scheduled for a year-end launch.
2016-02-25

30 million-year-old rock found during stadium construction

Rock samples of the 'Dukhan rock' about 20 to 30 million years old have been unearthed under one of the stadiums being built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar‹. The project manager said that this is a remarkable find for a stadium construction site, as usually this type of rock is found in deeper tunneling works.
2016-02-25

Dodos were not that dumb, new research finds

The famous extinct bird dodo, popularly thought to be stupid, was actually quite smart, new research shows. Its brain size compared to its body size was on par with pigeons, who are considered to be moderately intelligent, said researchers who analyzed a preserved dodo skull.
2016-02-24

Dodos were not that dumb, new research finds

The famous extinct bird dodo, popularly thought to be stupid, was actually quite smart, new research shows. Its brain size compared to its body size was on par with pigeons, who are considered to be moderately intelligent, said researchers who analyzed a preserved dodo skull.
2016-02-24

Sea sponges were the first animals on Earth, scientists discover

According to researchers at the world-famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology, sea sponges pre-date the Cambrian explosion, an evolutionary period that began around 540 million years ago, during which a large number of new animals appeared.
2016-02-24

Otzi the icemans vocal tract to be recreated to hear Stone Age vowels

It has been more than 5,000 years since an unfortunate encounter with another stone-age man armed with a bow and arrow saw Otzi the iceman in South Tyrol meet his maker.
2016-02-23

Sea level rising at fastest rate in last 28 centuries

The worsening of tidal flooding in American coastal communities is largely due to greenhouse gases from human activity, and the problem will grow far worse in coming decades, scientists have reported.
2016-02-23

Nasa releases 'Moon music' heard by astronauts

Nasa has made public the recording of the mysterious 'outer-space music' that Apollo 10 mission astronauts heard as their spacecraft flew around the far side of the Moon in 1969.
2016-02-23

Shifting tide: Breast cancer is number 1 killer of women

Breast cancer has surpassed cervical cancer as the most common form of cancer In India. Doctors are worried as diagnosis is expensive and challenging. In 2015, the estimated number of cervical cancer patients is 93,000 and for breast cancer the number is 1,34,000.
2016-02-23

Soon, a non-invasive, saliva-based diabetes test

In a matter of months, diabetics may no longer have to suffer a painful prick to test sugar levels. DiabetOmics, a global medical diagnostics company, is developing the worlds first patented non-invasive, saliva-based diabetes monitoring test.
2016-02-23

Take concrete steps to fight antibiotic resistance, turn pledges into action: WHO

World Health Organization (WHO) sought urgent measures to curb antibiotic resistance, warning that if steps were not taken, even common bacterial infections would become untreatable and fatal.
2016-02-23

Peanut had its origin in Bolivia: Icrisat scientist part of groundnut gene sequencing

In a scientific breakthrough that promises accelerated gene discovery and development of improved peanut (also known as groundnut) cultivars, researchers have completed high quality sequencing of the ancestral genomes of the crop.
2016-02-23

Ligo India: Big science project with big benefits

The project of Ligo India will not just help a new generation of physicists, but it will also bring precision engineering to the Indian industry. Prime Minister Modi hints at building a gravitational wave observatory in the country. The Union Cabinet has cleared Rs.1,200 crore for the project.
2016-02-23

This app helps improve workplace nutrition, up productivity

A growing number of companies are offering their employees digital tools to help improve their eating habits in hopes of increasing productivity, reducing sick days and cutting healthcare costs.
2016-02-23

Apollo 10 astronauts heard odd ˜music on far side of moon

Apollo 10 astronauts heard an œeerie and œouter spacey music as they passed around the dark side of the Moon, it has been revealed in an audio, declassified by Nasa.
2016-02-23

Coming, a `smart' window that turns into a TV screen

Imagine a window in your living room that could double as a giant thermostat or a big TV screen. A new glass technology may make it possible.
2016-02-23

You can soon download films on mobiles in 5 sec

On the outskirts of this sleepy commuter town just south o London, plans are underway to build the fastest cellphone network in the world.
2016-02-23

Stanford comes with cheap blood test to detect TB

A blood test devised by Stanford University's researchers could emerge as the easiest and cheapest way to diagnose active tuberculosis, which kills 1.5 million people every year. They have identified a gene expression that distinguishes patients with active tuberculosis from those with either latent tuberculosis or other diseases, said a research paper published online in Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.
2016-02-22

Urological cancers on the rise in India

While oral cancer is the most common cancer among Indian men, experts at an international symposium held in Mumbai over the weekend pointed out that cases of urological cancers too are on the rise in the country.
2016-02-22

A portable device that can detect Ebola

Researchers have developed a low-cost and portable diagnostic device that can be used to detect Ebola infection and many other diseases. The device runs on battery and is completely self-sustained. It operates seamlessly with inexpensive microscopes and provides high levels of accuracy.
2016-02-22

Researchers develop portable device that can detect Ebola, other diseases

Researchers have developed a low-cost and portable diagnostic device that can be used to detect Ebola infection and many other diseases. The device runs on battery and is completely self-sustained. It operates seamlessly with inexpensive microscopes and provides high levels of accuracy.
2016-02-22

Dengue vaccination starts in the Philippines

French vaccine-maker Sanofi Pasteur announced that vaccinations with Dengvaxia-the first vaccine approved for the prevention of dengue-- have commenced in the Philippines.
2016-02-22

Ventilation ˜corridors to tackle Beijing smog

Authorities in Beijing plan to develop a network of ventilation œcorridors to help tackle the citys notorious air pollution, news agency Xinhua reported .
2016-02-21

Exposure to air pollution may up obesity, diabetes risk

Exposure to polluted air may increase the risk of obesity and lead to high cholesterol and more insulin resistance, a precursor of Type 2 diabetes, a new study has warned.
2016-02-21

A black hole in 5D could spell doom for relativity theory

Scientists have shown how a ring-shaped black hole could cause Einsteins general theory of relativity, a foundation of modern physics, to break down ” assuming the universe contains at least five dimensions.
2016-02-21

Shape-shifting nanoparticles to deliver drugs

Scientists have designed a set of shape-shifting nanoparticles attached to strands of DNA that can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, while minimising side effects such as hair loss and skin damage.
2016-02-21

Diagnosis of liver fibrosis possible through blood test

Now, there is a blood test that can detect liver fibrosis, which is caused due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, providing an option less invasive than the existing ones.
2016-02-21

Our organs too may have sexual identities

The organs in our body may have a sexual identity of their own, according to new research which may shed light on why some cancers are more common in women, and others in men. The idea that our organs could be "male" or "female" raises the possibility that women and men may need different treatments as a result, researchers said.
2016-02-21

Richard Branson unveils spaceship

Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic venture unveiled a new passenger spacecraft , nearly 16 months after a fatal accident destroyed its sister ship during a test flight over Californias Mojave Desert.
2016-02-20

Stars with longest duration stellar eclipse discovered

An unnamed binary star system, known only by its astronomical catalogue number TYC 2505-672-1, has set a new record. One, for the longest duration stellar eclipse (3.5 years) , which is a near-total eclipse that lasted for three and a half years, along with the longest period between two eclipses, 69 years, in a binary system.
2016-02-20

China hunts for aliens. And scientists

This week, China announced that its relocating 9,110 villagers to make way for a giant telescope that will search for extraterrestrial life.
2016-02-20

How genes may influence ageing decoded

Previous studies have found that blood levels of the hormone GDF11 decrease over time. Restoration of GDF11 reverses cardiovascular ageing in old mice and leads to muscle and brain rejuvenation, Scientists have now discovered that levels of this hormone are determined by genetics.
2016-02-20

Homeopathy found to be effective for 0 out of 68 illnesses

A total of 57 systematic reviews, containing the 176 individual studies, focused on 68 different health conditions - and found there to be no evidence homeopathy was more effective than placebo on any.
2016-02-20

Nasa to simulate growing potatoes on Mars

Do Perus potatoes have the right stuff ? Thats the question scientists will be asking in Lima next month, when a selection of tubers will begin undergoing tests to determine whether theyre fit to grow on Mars.
2016-02-19

Poor diet causes more premature deaths than smoking or drinking

Unhealthy eating has been named as the most common cause of premature death around the globe, new data has revealed.
2016-02-19

Coming: Bat-inspired micro air vehicles

Researchers, led by an Indian-origin scientist, have designed innovative membrane wings inspired by bats, paving the way for a new breed of unmanned micro air vehicles (MAVs) that can fly over long distances and are more economical to run.
2016-02-19

The biggest cause of early death in the world is not smoking or alcohol - it's what you eat

Unhealthy eating has been named as the most common cause of premature death around the globe, new data has revealed.
2016-02-19

Vegetarians are 'less healthy and have a lower quality of life than meat-eaters', scientists say

Vegetarians are less healthy than meat-eaters, a controversial study has concluded, despite drinking less, smoking less and being more physically active than their carnivorous counterparts.
2016-02-19

New Nasa telescope to help unlock secrets of universe

Nasa has started work on a new telescope with a view 100 times bigger than that of Hubble Space Telescope that may help unravel the mysteries of dark matter and advance the search for alien life. The mission is led by Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland.
2016-02-19

Experience of beauty can be measured, says British neurobiologist

AHMEDABAD: Can experience of beauty be measured? 'Yes' was the answer that Professor of Neurobiologist at University College London, UK, Semir Zeki had to this subjective question.
2016-02-18

Myopia may affect half by world by 2050

Blame it on increasing computer use or a genetic disposition, but half the world's population - that is, early 5 billion people -- will be short-sighted (myopic) by 2050.
2016-02-18

Zika virus: Study supports link to microcephaly

In what experts describe as another piece of evidence linking Zika with the risk of birth defects, researchers reported finding the virus in the amniotic fluid of two pregnant women whose foetuses were diagnosed with microcephaly.
2016-02-18

'Bullying could lead to ADHD in childhood, depression in adulthood'

The medical problem of low birth weight could haunt children right up to their adulthood. A new study from Canada says that low birth babies children born prematurely or with low birth weight could develop mental illness as adult if they are bullied.
2016-02-18

On this world, a solar eclipse lasts three and a half years

A team of astronomers discovered an astonishing world, currently called TYC 2505-672-1, which sets a new record for both the longest duration stellar eclipse and the longest period between eclipses in a binary system.
2016-02-18

Take precautions to lower cholesterol with age

With emerging evidence in support of cholesterol, many doctors have started harping on the fact that the fat-like substance is not all evil. Doctors say it is a very important biological molecule and even essential for our body.
2016-02-18

IPR to build world's most powerful gravity-sensing LIGO

The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, is going to build the world's most advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO-India) to detect gravitational waves.The IPR-built observatory will be the third of its kind in the world.
2016-02-18

India moves to create own LIGO project to study graviational waves

The government gave an œin-principle approval for establishing a state-of-the-art LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) project in the country which will bring unprecedented opportunities for scientists to dig deeper into the realm of gravitation wave.
2016-02-18

Nasa invites ISRO to US for possible collaboration

As American space agency Nasa looks forward to sending astronauts to Mars, it has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for a possible international collaboration.
2016-02-17

New way to turn sunlight into hydrogen developed

Inspired by the way plants convert sunlight into energy, Korean scientists have developed a new type of multi-layered photoelectrode that boosts the ability of solar water-splitting to produce hydrogen.
2016-02-17

Anti-inflammatory properties of green tea can cure rheumatoid arthritis

Good news for all green tea lovers, a new study has found that green tea can help curing debilitating autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis.
2016-02-17

Isro orbiter to scan India's air for pollutants

The Space Applications Centre (SAC) of Isro and Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) of University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies are collaborating on developing the `Next Generation Earth Monitoring and Observation and Aerosol Monitoring' (NEMO-AM) satellite. This is among Isro's most important high-performance nano-satellite missions for the country.
2016-02-17

Socialize after retirement to live long: Study

Joining social groups such as book clubs or church groups after retirement is linked to a longer life, a new study has claimed.
2016-02-16

New microbes that thrive deep inside Earth discovered

Scientists have discovered a group of microbes that live several kilometres under the surface of Earth, need no light or oxygen and can only be seen in a microscope. They were able to determine how these microbes should be classified and what physiologies they use to thrive under extreme conditions.
2016-02-16

Cancer breakthrough: T-cell therapy offers prospect of lasting cure, say scientists

Patients with advanced blood cancers who were not expected to live beyond five months show complete remission after 18 months. Scientists find ways of commandeering the natural killing capacity of T-cells to identify, memorise and attack tumour cells.
2016-02-16

Poisonous flower fossil of potato-tomato family found frozen in amber

NA 20-30 million year old flower, preserved in amber, is the ancestor of everything from the potato to tomatoes, tobacco, petunias and our morning cup of coffee, researchers from Oregon State University and Rutgers University have announced.
2016-02-16

3D 'bioprinters' could soon make organs and human tissue good enough for transplant, researchers say

Human tissue and organs good enough to be used for transplants could soon be made using a custom-designed 3D œbioprinter that would help solve the problem of donor shortages.
2016-02-16

Virtual reality therapy can help fight depression

A virtual reality therapy could help people with depression be less critical and more compassionate towards themselves, reducing depressive symptoms, a new study has found.
2016-02-16

Southeast Asia to see total solar eclipse on March 8

Ever witnessed a total solar eclipse? Here's a chance for all the space lovers. Come March 8, 2016, the moon will cast its shadow on earth as it is all set to pass in front of the sun.
2016-02-15

India is one of the best places for locating another gravitational wave detector: LIGO executive director David Reitze

In his first interaction with any Indian newspaper, physicist and Laser Interferometric Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) Executive Director David Reitze tells TOIs Chethan Kumar that India is the first choice for the expansion of the project and that they are anxious to have a detector here at the earliest.
2016-02-15

Speech disorder can lead to brain disease

Apraxia, a problem with speech programming, can lead to neurodegenerative disease - a condition that affects neurons in the human brain, a study says.
2016-02-15

2116: Underwater cities, downloadable meals and 3D-printed houses just a century away, report claims

Super skyscrapers, underwater cities and 3D-printed homes will all be a reality in 100 years' time, according to a new report on life in the future.
2016-02-15

Learning second language can delay ageing of the brain, say scientists

Learning a second language can boost thinking skills, improve mental agility and delay the ageing of the brain, according to scientists who believe that speaking minority languages should be positively encouraged in schools and universities.
2016-02-15

500-year-old ship is raised from riverbed

A medieval ship has been raised after half a century of resting on a riverbed in the Netherlands.
2016-02-15

Iceberg grounding in Antarctica kills 150,000 penguins

Some 150,000 penguins died after a massive iceberg grounded near their colony in Antarctica, forcing them to make a lengthy trek to find food, scientists say in a newly-published study.
2016-02-15

Chinese scientists achieve temperatures three times hotter than the sun

A nuclear reactor in China has created plasma at a temperature of 50 million Kelvins (49.999 million degrees Celsius or 90 million Fahrenheit) for 102 seconds.
2016-02-14

New computer model to predict right-size heart valves

Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed computer simulations to determine if a pulmonary valve will fit an individual's heart, even before the surgery takes place.
2016-02-14

Increasing water on land slowing down rising seas

While ice sheets and glaciers continue to melt, climate change over the past decade has caused Earth's continents to soak up and store an extra 3.2 trillion tons of water in soils, lakes and underground aquifers -- temporarily slowing the rate of sea level rise by about 20 percent, scientists have revealed.
2016-02-13

IVF doctors making impossible possible: Harsh Vardhan

Union minister Harsh Vardhan hailed the role of doctors performing In vitro fertilisation (IVF) saying they were making the impossible possible.
2016-02-13

Prepare for ˜Guerrilla warfare with Zika-carrying mosquitoes, experts warn

Nearly a year after the first cases of Zika were diagnosed in Brazil, the virus, which is suspected to cause birth defects and other neurological problems, is bearing down on American shores. It is already in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. There have been more than 50 cases of Americans infected abroad, and most experts believe that by summer, the continental United States will have some of its own homegrown cases, meaning that domestic mosquitoes will have the virus.
2016-02-13

New-age drugs can prevent strokes

There is evidence to show that popping right dosages of new-age blood thinners can reduce risks of strokes in thousands of Indian patients with irregular heartbeats, said doctors during a discussion at the ongoing heart convention at the India Society of Cardiology in Chennai.
2016-02-12

Experts stop calling out to comet lander as hope fades

European scientists said that they have stopped sending commands to the Philae space probe, which became the first to touch down on a comet more than a year ago.
2016-02-12

Now well listen to the stars, courtesy gravitational waves

The landmark discovery of the first direct evidence of gravitational waves or ripples in space-time, which Albert Einstein predicted a century ago, will enable mankind to listen to the stars, and not just see them, scientists say.
2016-02-12

Coming, shoes that can charge smartphones as you walk

Scientists have developed an innovative energy-harvesting technology that can capture the power of human motion to charge mobile electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops.
2016-02-12

A chip in brain to help paraplegics move prosthetics

Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed a smart chip that can be paired with neural implants for efficient wireless transmission of brain signals to help combat Parkinsons disease or allow paraplegic people to move their prosthetic limbs.
2016-02-12

Scientists bid farewell to comet lander Philae

It is time to bid final good bye to the Philae lander, a fridge-sized machine that landed on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on November 12, 2014, the European Space Agency announced . Philae lander is facing conditions on the comet from which it is unlikely to recover.
2016-02-12

˜Find comes exactly 100 years after Einsteins paper

It's existed since the beginning of time, when the Universe was created by the Big Bang. Humanity has always accepted it as an immutable force. The detection of gravitational waves is a big moment and an overwhelming one, said Sanjeev Dhurandhar, one of the key scientists involved in the announcement made at a US National Science Foundation news conference. I never thought I would see this detection of gravitational waves happen in my lifetime, director of Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Somak Raychaudhury, said .
2016-02-11

Its like a new world opening up for us: Indian scientist

Varun Bhalerao from InterUniversity Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUUCA), who is also a part of the gravitational waves project, has an interesting way of explaining the discovery of gravitational waves to a layman. Think of a person with a hearing impairment.
2016-02-11

Education cuts dementia risk

The risk of developing dementia is decreasing for people with at least a high school education, says a new study that suggests that changes in lifestyle and improvements in physical health can help prevent or delay cognitive decline.
2016-02-11

US hospital to perform 1st HIV+ organ transplants

Johns Hopkins said it was set to perform the first kidney and liver transplants between HIV positive donors and HIV positive patients in the US, a development that advocates said could create a lifesaving pipeline for HIV patients while shortening organ donor waiting lists for all.
2016-02-11

Drones to trace those lost in forests

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence software for drones to autonomously recognise and navigate through complex environments, and help rescue people lost in forests and mountain areas.
2016-02-11

Einstein's century old prediction confirmed; Gravitational wave detection: How binary stars turn into tight pairs of massive black holes

The Advanced LIGO team has announced the direct detection of gravitational waves, a major milestone in the history of science that confirms one of Einsteins predictions and opens a new window into the near and far Universe. The detection of gravitational waves could allow scientists to build something like a time machine to look into the earliest and darkest parts of the universe.
2016-02-11

The world's most sophisticated science machines: LIGO

The machines that gave scientists their first-ever glimpse at gravitational waves are the most advanced detectors ever built for sensing tiny vibrations in the universe.
2016-02-11

Einsteins was right, gravitational waves do exist

In 1915, Albert Einstein had said that Isaac Newton, who had unified Galileo Galileis theory of falling bodies with German astronomer Johannes Keplers laws of planetary motion and published his laws of motion and universal gravitation, was not entirely correct.
2016-02-11

Hundreds of galaxies hidden behind Milky Way discovered

Scientists have discovered hundreds of galaxies just 250 million light years away from Earth that had been hidden from view by our Milky Way. This may help explain the mysterious gravitational anomaly ” "Great Attractor" ” that seems to be pulling hundreds of thousands of other galaxies towards it.
2016-02-11

Auto industry cannot justify diesel plan projecting Europe as their poster boy: CSE

In a dramatic development in December, 2015, a group of 24 scientists from leading scientific institutions in Europe, supported by scientists from the US, issued an open letter to the European policy-makers, expressing strong concern over impact of diesel cars on air quality of Europe, says NGO Centre for Science and Environment.
2016-02-11

Removing sugar from diet for just nine days can have 'dramatic results,' new study claims

The study, published by the journal Obesity, substituted the sugar intake of 43 obese children with starch and claims to have demonstrated sugar is dangerous not because of its calories but because of the strain it places on the bodys metabolism.
2016-02-11

Now, study links Zika virus to eye damage in babies

Infants infected with the Zika virus may be born not only with unusually small heads, but also with eye abnormalities that threaten vision, researchers reported in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.
2016-02-10

WHO lauds Indias mission to deworm 270 million children in a day

World Health Organization congratulated India for launching one of the largest public health campaigns to deworm 270 million people in the age group of one to 19 years, in a single day across the country. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO regional director for South-East Asia, confirmed on the same.
2016-02-10

Bacteria can see like human beings

It has taken scientists over 300 years to finally figure out how bacteria "see" their world, and they do it in a remarkably similar way to us.
2016-02-10

Cotton candy inspires tech to produce organs

Taking a cue from cotton candy machines, scientists have developed a 3D artificial capillary system that can keep living cells viable and functional for more than a week, thus paving the way for making life-sized artificial livers, kidneys, bones and other essential organs.
2016-02-09

Global warming likely to extend for next 10,000 years, says study

The damaging climate consequences of carbon emissions will grow and persist for millennia without a dramatic new global energy strategy, a new study has warned.
2016-02-09

Bacteria can 'see' by using their body as lens

A team of British and German researchers claimed to have found that a tiny bacteria can see their world the same way humans see. Bacterial cells act as the equivalent of a microscopic eyeball or the world's oldest and smallest camera eye, the scientists have found.
2016-02-09

Too much or too less: India battles body mass index blues

A staggeringly large number of Indians in 15 states are either overweight or underweight, and suffer from anaemia, according to the latest release of National Family and Health Survey (NFHS 4).
2016-02-08

46 years on, Beatles still boost Liverpool economy

Money, the Beatles sang in 1963, was what they wanted. Now, 53 years later, and 46 years after the group split in 1970, their home town of Liverpool is raking in more and more hard cash on the back of the Fab Four.
2016-02-08

Nasa taps sports balls to decode aerodynamics

Nasascientists, including one of Indianorigin, are studying the aerodynamics involved in sports balls moving through the air in order to learn how to make aircraft more Earth-friendly or help a spacecraft take the most efficient route to Mars.
2016-02-08

X-rays, nanoparticles can kill cancer

Nanoparticles used in combination with X-rays are a viable method for killing cancer cells deep within the living body, a new study has found.
2016-02-08

Found: Cold dust grains in ˜Flying Saucer

An international team has found unexpectedly cold dust grains in a planetforming disc nicknamed the œFlying Saucer, about 400 light years from Earth.
2016-02-08

Sudden cardiac death may soon be a thing of past

Scientists at a US university have developed a possible treatment to prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - a common cause of sudden death in young athletes - using a study conducted by researchers more than 15 years ago.
2016-02-07

Psychiatric disorders genetically linked to diabetes

US scientists have found link between psychiatric disorders and type 2 diabetes. According to them, the "DISC1" gene which plays a role in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, influences function of pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
2016-02-07

New tarantula named after Johnny Cash

Scientists scouring the fields of Folsom, California found a new kind of black tarantula which they have named after Johnny Cash, the American music legend.
2016-02-06

Dinosaur-like features in ancient mammal found

Scientists have discovered that an ancient hoofed mammal had very unusual features similar only to the nasal crests of lambeosaurine hadrosaur dinosaurs, showing a convergent evolution across millions of years between two very distantly related species.
2016-02-06

Nasa craft spots floating hills in Plutos heart

Nasas New Horizons spacecraft has captured images of frozen nitrogen glaciers on Pluto carrying numerous floating hills that may be fragments of water ice, giving an insight into the dwarf planets fascinating and abundant geological activity.
2016-02-05

Michelangelo defied arthritic hands to create masterpieces

Renowned Italian artist Michelangelo likely suffered from arthritis in his later years, but addiction to work may have extended the use of his hands until he died, a new study suggests.
2016-02-04

Fixing worn-out cells ups elixir of youth hope

Elixir-of-youth treatments that slow ageing could be on the horizon after an experiment on mice in which its lifespan was extended by up to 35%.
2016-02-04

Elixir of youth tested successfully on mice

Elixir-of-youth treatments that slow ageing could be on the horizon after an extraordinary experiment in which the lifespan of mice was extended by up to 35 per cent.
2016-02-04

Nasa's Juno to complete its six-year journey to Jupiter

Nasa's Jupiter-bound solar-powered Juno spacecraft has successfully executed a manoeuvre to adjust its flight path, setting the stage for its rendezvous with the solar system's largest planet. Juno was launched in 2011, will arrive at Jupiter in July.
2016-02-04

Mystery of Ice age causing missing CO2 solved

A long standing environmental mystery appears to have been solved “ and it may contain lessons for todays runaway global warming. Scientists have long puzzled over the fact that twenty thousand years ago, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere fell so low that the earth was enveloped in ice, the era now known as the Ice Age.
2016-02-04

The 'five second rule' is real, say Nasa engineers

The five second rule - the urban food myth, ever-justifying your decision to eat a dropped tasty treat “ does exist, according to two Nasa engineers.
2016-02-03

CSIR launches first ayurvedic anti-diabetic drug

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched BGR-34 -- the country's first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug designed for Type-2 diabetes mellitus, which has been scientifically validated for its efficacy and safety.
2016-02-03

Killing cancer cells: Get them addicted to drugs

Scientists in the UK have found a new way to combat cancer by getting tumour cells addicted to drugs that will kill them in minutes.
2016-02-02

Centre to set up a research lab to understand earthquake mechanism in Mahrashtra's Koyna region

The ministry of earth science will set up up a research lab - Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory at Karad in Maharashtra to understand earthquake mechanism in the Koyna region of the state.
2016-02-02

Earth made up of two planets after 'violent collision' with Theia 4.5bn years ago, UCLA scientists find

A planetary embryo called Theia, thought to be around the size of Mars or Earth, collided with Earth 4.5 billion years ago when our planet was just 100 million years old. Scientists also say the event also created the moon.
2016-02-02

Worlds first robot-run farm set to open in Japan

A Japanese firm said it would open the worlds first fully automated farm with robots handling almost every step of the process, from watering seedlings to harvesting crops.
2016-02-01

Scientists give C-section babies healthy germs

Researchers have found a way to give beneficial bacteria to C-section babies. Bacteria in and on the human skin, mouth and gut play a crucial role in digestion, metabolism and immunity. But babies born by caesarean section have different microbes than their peers who travel through the birth canal.
2016-02-01

Graphene in implants may help control robotic arms in amputees

Scientists have developed graphene electrodes that can be implanted in the brain to control robotic arms n amputees or help restore sensory functions in patients with motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
2016-02-01

Vaccine for Zika Virus may be years away, disease experts warn

The search is on to develop a vaccine to halt the disease, which could infect as many as 4 million people by the end of the year. But even as a host of companies have announced plans to develop a vaccine, disease experts say it could be years before an effective product makes its way to the public.
2016-01-31
Source: Times of India News