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Federal appeals court affirms decision opposing species protection for giant Palouse earthworm

Appeals court denies earthworm protection

SPOKANE, Wash. — The giant Palouse earthworm isn’t that big, doesn’t spit and doesn’t smell like lilies, and now a federal court has decided it is not time to grant the worm endangered species protection.

UNESCO delays awarding contested prize named after president of Equatorial Guinea

UNESCO delays awarding contested prize

PARIS — The United Nations’ arm for education, science and culture decided Tuesday to delay awarding a prize that had outraged critics because it was named for Equatorial Guinea’s longtime dictator.

Lights out! Ikea to phase out incandescent bulbs at US stores Aug. 1, ahead of target

Ikea to start phasing out incandescent light bulbs

Natl Academy of Sciences panel chosen to review vehicle electronics post-Toyota recalls

Govt panel chosen to review vehicle electronics

After world’s longest avian migration, Arctic terns perform acrobatics in Anchorage marsh

Arctic terns draw crowds in Anchorage marsh

Judge hears arguments on whether to restore federal protection for wolves in Montana, Idaho

Judge hears arguments in federal wolf case

NGO offers monetary reward to help nab dog killers

MUMBAI - Following reports of stray dogs being killed in the Dombivli township of Maharashtra’s Thane district, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has announced a monetary reward to those who provide information regarding the miscreants.

2nd carcass of endangered Javan Rhinoceros found in Indonesian national park

2nd carcass of endangered rhino found in Indonesia

Delhi experiences warm day, rains likely

NEW DELHI - The capital experienced a warm day Tuesday recording a maximum temperature of 40.6 degrees Celsius — one notch above the average, the weatherman said, adding that parts of the city might have showers in the late evening.

Eight ‘dancing bears’ rescued from Nepal, shifted to India

NEW DELHI - Animal welfare organisation Wildlife SOS has rescued eight “dancing bears” from Nepal and shifted them to a temporary holding centre in India.

Microsoft’s ‘Kinect’ to allow users to use Xbox with body movements

WASHINGTON - Microsoft has unveiled “Kinect,” its latest technological creation for game systems, which allows users to direct the X-Box with their body movements.

LOFAR raises hopes of unravelling mysteries of universe

WASHINGTON - The world’s largest radio telescope, LOFAR, has officially been launched, raising scientists’ hopes of unravelling the hidden mysteries of the universe.

IVF treatments linked to autism

WASHINGTON - There exists a strong link between in vitro fertilization (IVF) and mild to moderate cases of autism, according to a researcher at Tel Aviv University.

New findings on sleeping sickness pave way for novel treatments

WASHINGTON - New revelations about the parasite that causes sleeping sickness could lead to new avenues of research into treatments for the disease.cientists studying the parasite - which is spread by the tsetse fly and infects the blood of people and animals - have shed light on how it is able to survive when taken up by a feeding fly.

Carnivorous mammals aid fruiting plants in reproduction

WASHINGTON - Always thought carnivores such as foxes and martens do not eat fruits? Well, they not only take a bite into nature’s sweet treats, but also help fruiting plants to reproduce and disperse their seeds, say researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).

World’s thinnest material could come in handy as dispersing agent

WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered new properties of graphene oxide, which could see the material being used as a dispersing agent for insoluble materials, like carbon nanotubes.

Spinal cord stimulation may aid Parkinson’s patients

WASHINGTON - A new study claims that high frequency stimulation of spinal cord may benefit Parkinson’s patients.

Pregnant women should avoid wearing high heels, say experts

LONDON - Experts have warned pregnant women should abstain from footwear like high heels, ballet pumps and flip flops.

Japan warns it may quit whaling commission if no progress made in easing of ban

Japan may quit whaling commission if ban stays put

How bacteria give a boost to the immune system

WASHINGTON - Loyola University Health System researchers have discovered how certain types of bacteria boost the immune system.

Scientists one step closer to fully sequencing the salmon genome

WASHINGTON - Scientists are one step to fully sequencing the genome of the economically important, environmentally sensitive Atlantic salmon species.

Mechanical heart pumps may save lives

WASHINGTON - Scientists at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have suggested that some patients with life-threatening heart failure can be helped by mechanical heart pumps.

Mental activity ‘can protect memory of patients with multiple sclerosis’

WASHINGTON - A mentally active lifestyle may protect against the memory and learning problems that often occur in multiple sclerosis (MS), says a new study.

Early AMD linked to smoking, cholesterol levels

WASHINGTON - A new research has shown that early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is related to modifiable risk factors, including smoking and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol).

Healthy diet linked to lower risk of cataracts in women

WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that women who eat foods rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals may have a lower risk of developing the most common type of cataract.
ulie A. Mares, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and colleagues studied 1,808 women (age 55 to 86) who participated in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease study, residing in Iowa, Wisconsin and Oregon.

Sun-sensitizing medications, sun exposure linked to cataract

WASHINGTON - A new study has revealed that the use of medications that increase sensitivity to the sun, combined with exposure to sunlight, is associated with the risk of age-related cataract.

Painkilling drug shuts down cancer cell growth

WASHINGTON - It has been previously observed that people who regularly take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin have lower incidences of certain types of cancer. Now, scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) have discovered how one NSAID, called Sulindac, inhibits tumor growth.

Possible link between sleep-disordered breathing, cardiovascular disease found

WASHINGTON - Researchers have long known that sleep-disordered breathing is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but had no clue as to why. Now a possible link has been established.

Genes, pesticide exposure interact to increase Parkinson’s disease risk

WASHINGTON - Researchers have found that genetic mutations and exposure to insecticides in workplaces interact to increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, especially in men.

Patients’ drive to return to work determines sick leave length: Study

WASHINGTON - Researchers have found that people who call in sick for back and neck problems return to work at different rates despite having similar problems - implying that personal factors play a major role.

Indian-origin scientist suggests use of CT scans for severe asthma

WASHINGTON - An Indian-origin researcher is investigating the use of CT (Computed Tomography) scanning for patients suffering from severe asthma.

Jesus’ crucifixion reality or artistic illustration?

WASHINGTON - The episode of Jesus’ crucifixion is based more on traditions of the Christian church and artistic illustrations than antique texts, says a Swedish researcher.

Soon, IVF patients to keep tabs on treatment with iPhones

SYDNEY - Women undergoing IVF treatments may soon be able to keep a check on their progress using their BlackBerries or iPhones-a move that could revolutionise the way doctors deal with patients.

Environment does have bearing on our physical activities

WASHINGTON - The environment can influence our physical activities, especially when it comes to where people live.

Now, simple, non-invasive diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease

WASHINGTON - A simple, non-invasive carotid artery ultrasound of the neck is an effective alternative to expensive coronary angiography for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a new American study.

Our brains have distorted model of our own bodies

WASHINGTON - Our brains have a highly distorted model of our own bodies, researchers at University College London (UCL) have revealed.