Teens increasingly preferring WhatsApp over Facebook

Facebook is reportedly witnessing a decrease in its daily users, especially teens, who have started to prefer mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and WeChat, over the social networking giant.

Facebook admitted that it was a decrease in daily teen users, indicating that they are still on the site but not using it as much.

According to a news website, the mass exodus from the social networking giant is attributed to the coming of messaging apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and KakaoTalk, which host free instant messages through a phone’s data connection.

Solar activity responsible for no more than 10% of global warming

A new study has suggested that changes in solar activity have contributed no more than 10 per cent to global warming in the 20th century.

The findings, made by Professor Terry Sloan at the University of Lancaster and Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale at the University of Durham, find that neither changes in the activity of the Sun, nor its impact in blocking cosmic rays, can be a significant contributor to global warming.

Frugal Mars mission launchpad for India in global space market

India’s bid to become the first Asian nation to reach Mars sets a new benchmark for frugal interplanetary travel and puts it in a perfect position to grab more of the $300-billion global space market, experts say.

“Everyone wants to do low-cost missions nowadays,” Indian science author Pallava Bagla said, adding, “Don’t underestimate it because it is a low-cost mission.”

Why some cancers progress and spread faster than others

Researchers have revealed how a reduction in mitochondrial DNA content leads human breast cancer cells to take on aggressive, metastatic properties.

The work has broken new ground in understanding why some cancers progress and spread faster than others and may offer clinicians a biomarker that would distinguish patients with particularly aggressive forms of disease, helping personalize treatment approaches.
Mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of mammalian cells, are also a signaling hub.

Now, 3D printer creates world’s smallest working human liver

In an extraordinary feat, American scientists have successfully created the world’s smallest human liver using a 3D printer that can work for forty days just like the real organ.

Designed by medical research company Organvo in California, the mini-livers are just half a millimetre deep and four millimetres wide, Metro.co.uk reported. The 3D printer builds up 20 layers of hepatocytes cells that are responsible for carrying out liver functions, and two major types of liver cell.

YouTube co-founder launches `f word` volley against Google for tweaking video comment section

YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim has joined the list of critics for Google’s changes to the video site that requires use of its Google+ service to comment on the content.

Karim made his second-ever post on the site and wrote why the f*** he needed a Google+ account to comment on a video.

According to the Guardian, Google change in the comment system has fueled controversies with users planning to eventually stop commenting on the site rather than sync or make Google+ accounts.

Twitter recruiting Android users to give feedback on `unreleased` mobile app

Twitter is reportedly soliciting Android users to provide feedback on the microblogging site’s mobile app in a bid to make it better.

The company had started a beta testing program in August for users to sample early versions of the app, and now will add a new alpha testing group, offering some users an even earlier look of the changes to the app.

According to Mashable, the program will let users to provide feedback, analysis, suggestions and comments to Twitter through an online forum.

YouTube co-founder criticizes Google for tweaking video comment section

YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim has joined the list of critics for Google’s changes to the video site that requires use of its Google+ service to comment on the content.

Karim made his second-ever post on the site and wrote why the f*** he needed a Google+ account to comment on a video.

According to the Guardian, Google change in the comment system has fueled controversies with users planning to eventually stop commenting on the site rather than sync or make Google+ accounts.

Hubble telescope captures images of star explosion

Hubble Space Telescope has been able to capture a star explosion, forming supernova SN 2013ek, in spiral galaxy NGC 6984.

The supernova is visible in this image as a prominent, star-like bright object just slightly above and to the right of the galaxy’s center.

SN 2013ek is a Type Ib supernova, which is caused by the core collapse of massive stars that have shed – or lost – their outer layers of hydrogen.

Type Ic supernova e are thought to have lost more of their outer envelope than Type Ib, including a layer of helium.

ANI

Future robots’ heart to be powered by pee instead of blood

Researchers have created a new device that is able to pump human waste into the “engine room” of a self-sustaining robot.

Researchers based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory – a joint venture between the University of the West of England and University of Bristol – have created four generations of EcoBots in the past 10 years, each of which is powered by electricity-generating microbial fuel cells that employ live microorganisms to digest waste organic matter and generate low-level power.

Scientists uncover potential drug target that could help eradicate cancer

Scientists have found an enzyme, Wip1 phosphatase, as a potential target to stop the progression of cancer.

Although studies in the past have revealed that this enzyme plays a critical role in regulating the budding of tumours, scientists have for the first time unearthed a mechanism for its mode of action.
Dr Dmitry Bulavin and his team at A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), discovered that Wip1 phosphatase is a key factor that causes point mutations to sprout in human cancers.

Increase S&T investment, eliminate bureaucracy: Panel

Concerned over the country’s tardy progress in innovation and scientific research, the Science Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has “strongly recommended” increasing investment in S&T including higher education, especially from private sector, and “eliminating bureaucracy and outdated” procedures in the area.

At the same time, the Council has also suggested the creation of a strong innovation ecosystem which would include a policy that encourages strong interactions between S&T and industry.

Iguana-shaped like rock discovered on Mars

Mars Curiosity Rover has captured the image of a rock that somewhat resembles an iguana.

The iguana doppleganger was first spotted by the website UFO Sightings Daily who found the photograph on NASA’s archives of dozens of images of the barren landscape surrounding the Curiosity Rover, Fox News reported.

The reptile-shaped rock is not the first “animal” to be found on Mars. A rock shaped like a rat was discovered earlier this year.

Controversial anti-poaching drive to continue: Tanzanian President

Tanzania will continue a controversial anti-poaching operation, President Jakaya Kikwete said Thursday, overturning a suspension following reports of rampant human rights abuses including torture and killing of suspects.

Police and wildlife officers have cracked down on suspected poachers amid a surge of killings of elephant and rhino in the east African nation, operating under what was reported to be a shoot-to-kill policy and making sweeping arrests.

Apple launches Mail 7.0 update for OS X Mavericks

Apple has released an update for its e-mail client program Mail 7.0 for OS X Mavericks.

The update addresses several problems occurring with Gmail users, who have installed the new OS, such as issues with deleting, moving, and archiving messages for those with custom settings, and inaccurate unread counts, Cnet reports.

However, Apple has also issued a few precautions for the users who want to install the update, like making a full backup of your system, and checking all third-party software installed on your system after update.

Asteroid with six comet-like tails found

A set of six comet-like tails radiating from a body in the asteroid belt, designated P/2013 P5, are seen in a NASA Hubble Space Telescope set of handout images released November 7, 2013. The multiple tails were discovered in Hubble images taken on September 10, 2013. When Hubble returned to the asteroid on September 23, the asteroid looked as if the entire structure had swung around. REUTERS

Researchers re-grow cartilage, hair, bone and soft tissues in mouse model

While young animals have the ability to repair their tissues effortlessly, a new study has suggested that this capacity can be recaptured in adults too.

The research from scientists at the Stem Cell Program at Boston Children’s Hospital were able to re-grow hair and repair cartilage, bone, skin and other soft tissues in a mouse model by reactivating a dormant gene called Lin28a, which is active in embryonic stem cells.

Now, app that measures you from iPhone photos for custom-built bra!

For women, one of the most tedious task is to shop for a bra that fits, and fits absolutely perfect. Techies have reportedly developed an iPhone app to solve this issue.

Heidi Zak and Dave Spector have developed the app called ThirdLove that uses computer vision to measure a woman virtually through iPhone photographs and provides data that is needed for a custom-fit bra.

According to Mashable, once a shopper takes the necessary photographs, she can customize a bra of her choice, which she receives in the mail later inside a silky drawstring pouch wrapped in blue tissue paper.

Apple to fix latest iPhone 5S and 5C at stores

Apple is reportedly going to offer in-store repairs for its latest iPhone5S and 5C.

The tech giant is preparing to extend to its new iPhones the same in-store repair program it rolled out for the iPhone 5 this past summer.

According to AllThingsD, sources said that Apple Stores will be equipped to handle most common repairs including, cracked screens, bad batteries, etc.

Lenovo posts 36pc hike in profit in Q3 beating expectations

Lenovo’s latest quarterly profit rose 36 percent as sales of tablets and computers rose. The Chinese personal-computer maker’s outstanding results come amid lingering concerns about the PC industry’s future. Despite some signs of recovery, traditional PC makers are still struggling to sell their desktop and laptop computers, AllThingsD reports. According to the report, Lenovo managed to sell more PCs globally in the quarter, while increasing its average selling prices.

Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions drop

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 36.7 percent in the past seven years, according to a study released Thursday by the country’s climate monitoring centre.

The study said that the greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil in 2012 decreased to 1.48 billion tons of carbon dioxide, while in 2005 it reached 2.34 billion tons of carbon dioxide, reported Xinhua.

Mars Orbiter raised further successfully

The second of the six orbit raising manouevres for the Mars Orbiter was completed successfully early Friday, the Indian space agency said.

According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the second orbit raising manouevre that started 2.18 a.m. Friday has been successfully completed.

The on-board motor of Mars Orbiter was fired for 570.6 seconds taking up the Mars Orbiter to 40,186 km apogee (farthest point to the Earth) from the earlier levels of 28,814 km.

Now, `pedal-charge` your laptop while working

A new tech has been reportedly developed that allows heavy users of laptop to ‘pedal-charge’ their device while sitting at a desk with a built-in cycle.

Design firm Pedal Power has created two cycling generators that produce electrical power known as Big Rig and Pedal Genny and while pedaled by an average adult, would produce up to 100 watts of electricity which can easy charge a laptop or cell phone.

According to Mashable, the purpose of the bike technology is to raise awareness around how difficult it is to actually produce energy.

New map shows how submerged Earth will look if all the ice melted

Maps created by National Geographic magazine have shown that a huge portion of eastern England, most of Denmark, and the US’ entire eastern seaboard, Bangladesh and China’s huge chunk is going to get submerged if all the ice in the world melted.

And if the following were to happen, it will produce a sea level rise of about 216ft.

The magazine said that there are more than five million cubic miles of ice on Earth, and according to some scientists it’s going to take more than 5,000 years to melt it all.

Sun sends out another massive solar flare

The sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 5:12 p.m. EST on Nov. 5, 2013.

This flare is classified as an X3.3 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength. An X2 is twice as intense as an X1, an X3 is three times as intense, etc.

The Sun emitted its third solar flare on Oct. 25 and fourth on Oc. 29.

ANI