Bilinguals
Babies brought up in homes where two languages
are spoken learn words differently from those in monolingual homes. They often pick up words at a later age because
they have to concentrate for a longer time on the associations between words and objects rather than just a sound information.
This study is published in Child Development journal.
Oxygen on Earth
The earth had oxygen in the atmosphere at least 50 million years earlier than previously thought.
It was believed that the planet starting pulsing with element 2.45 billion years ago, during the Great Oxidation Event.
But, by analysing rock formed before then, scientists have found it happened much earlier. Ariel Anbar who led a team
of US researchers said: we have captured a piece of time when oxygen was changing - caught in the act, as it were.
Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds are packed with protein, iron,
zinc, magnesium, calcium and phytic acid, while being low in carbohydrates. It also contain sesamin and sesamolin, substances
which may help to lower cholesterol. In addition they are tough to aid digestion, to stimulate circulation and help
the nervous system.
Oxygen doubles cancer survival rates
Skin cancer patients may be able to double
their life expectency with a new drug which forces malignant cells to destruct. The treatment has already been tested
on patients with an advanced form of the cancer. It is hoped the drug, called STA-4783 could also one day be used to
treat pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
The medicine works by overloading cancer cells
with oxygen-containing chemicals to the point where the cells simply die.
Paracetamol and Caffeine
Scientists warned that mixing caffeine with paracetamol could be deadly. Combining large
quantities of coffee or energy drinks with several headache tablets can increase liver damage, a study claimed. Caffeine
triples the amount of a toxic by-product created when paracetamol is broken down. The toxin is the same substance responsible
for liver damage and liver failure when alcohol and paracetamol react together.
Experts have warned for years that drinking
too much alcohol while taking paracetamol can cause liver failure or even death. But this is the first time it has been
suggested that combining caffeine and paracetamol could produce a similar effect.
Microwaves
According to a study by researchers working at the University of Manchester and Metropolitan University,
microwaves used to zap instant meals can also determine the fat and salt content of supermarket food. Since microwaves
heat different foods at different rates, they must be sensitive to food content such as water, salt and fat. This has
led the team to pursue a fast and non-invasive way of predicting the fat content in meat products.
Dino Wipe out
The Dinosaurs did not extinct because of cancer. Scientists rejected studies which suggest the
prehistoric reptiles were killed off by tumours caused by cosmic radiation. After studying more than 700 museum specimens,
a team from Kansas University found no support for a possible role of ionising radiation in the Dinosaur extinction event.
The cause of the wipe out is still a mystery.
Cluster Headache
A nasal spray could provide the quickest relief against the most painful headaches, a study
shows. Atrial involving 52 people with cluster head pains found 63 per cent of those who took 10mg of zolmitriptan nasal
spray felt better in 30 minutes.
Ancient Life
DNA has been found in living bacteria more than half a million years old. The ancient material,
taken from layers of permafrost in Canada, Siberia and Antarctica, was compared with a worldwide DNA gene-bank in a bid to
identify it. The study could lead to a better understanding of cell ageing and may cast light on the question of life
on Mars.
Plants can hear
As well as responding to light and touch plants can also hear. Researchers have identified
two genes in Rice plants that respond to sound waves. They exposed crops to classical music which while monitoring gene
activity, the New Scientist magazine reports.
