Ancient Earth was Oxygen-Rich

                Earth’s upper atmosphere contained about same amount of oxygen 2.7 billion years ago as today, according to new surprise finding that challenges the accepted view of our planet’s atmosphere. The researchers used the oldest fossil micrometeorites – space dust – ever found to the make the discovery about the chemistry of the Earth’s atmosphere. The finding show that the ancient Earth’s upper atmosphere contained about the same amount of oxygen as today, and that a methane haze layer separated this oxygen-rich upper layer from the oxygen-starved lower atmosphere.

Found Way to make Cells burn Fat, Curb Obesity

                Scientists have found a new way for stimulating the body to burn fat instead of storing it, a breakthrough that may help fight obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the study, researchers focus on a protein known as folliculin and its role in regulating the activity of fat cells. By knocking out the gene that produces folliculin in fat cells in mice, researchers triggered biomolecular signals that switched the cells from storing fat to burning it. This process is known as the ‘browning’ of fat cells.

An e-Jet that takes off from your yard

                A German start-up company is developing the world’s first ultralight personal electric plane that can be powered from a wall socket, take off and land vertically even from back gardens, and is eco-friendly. The two-seater entirely electric plane uses a ducted fan which makes it much simpler, quieter and safer than conventional helicopters. Researcher’s goal is to develop an aircraft for use in everyday life. They are going for a plane that does not need the complex and expensive infrastructure of an airport.

                To reduce noise and pollution, they are using electric engines so it can also be used close to urban areas. Highly efficient in its cruising mode, the plane will have a rage of 500 kilometres and be on sale by 2018. It features a touchscreen and flyby-wire joystick controls, retractable landing gear, wing doors, large storage, panoramic windows, and a battery that can be recharged from any wall socket.

                The half size prototype is already flying and now under test. The full size unmanned prototype is planned for this summer. The retail cost will be far less than that of similar sized contemporary aircraft, with running cost much lower as well. In the longer term, researchers target is to build an aircraft that nor only the super-rich can afford, and that can make private air transportation possible for a much wider number of people. With the concept of taking off and landing almost everywhere, we could see that one day these planes will be used for quick and daily transportation almost like a car.

Scientists discover protein which helps babies stick to the womb

                Scientists have discovered a protein which helps embryos stick to womb and improve treatments for recurrent miscarriages. The study by scientists at the University of Sheffield 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. This means the protein is likely to play a major role in helping embryos stick to the womb as well as the formation of placenta.

Scientists found a way to manufacture Synthetic Genome

                Scientists are now contemplating the fabrication of a human genome, meaning they would use chemicals to manufacture all the DNA contained in human chromosomes. The prospect is spurring both intrigue and concern in the life science community because it might be possible, through cloning, to use a synthetic genome to create human beings without biological parents. The project is still in the idea phase.

                The project could have a big scientific payoff and would be a follow-up to the original Human Genome Project, which was aimed at reading the sequence of the three billion chemical letters in the DNA blueprint of human life. The new project would involve not reading, but rather writing the human genome – synthesizing all three billion units from chemicals.

                The project was not aimed to creating people, just cells, and would not be restricted to human genomes. Rather it would aim to improve the ability to synthesize DNA in general, which could be applied to various animals, plants and microbes. Scientists and companies can now change the DNA in cells, for example, by adding foreign genes or changing the letters in the existing genes. This technique is routinely used to make drugs, such as insulin for diabetes, inside genetically modified cells, as well as to make genetically modified crops. But synthesizing a gene, or an entire genome, would provide the opportunity to make even more extensive changes in DNA.