Washington, Nov 20 : A detailed analysis of black carbon, in computer climate models, has suggested that those models may be overestimating global warming predictions.

Savanna fires occur almost every year in northern Australia, leaving behind black carbon, which is the residue of burned organic matter that remains in soil for thousands of years.

A new study, by researchers at Cornell University, quantified the amount of black carbon in Australian soils and found that there was far more than expected, according to Johannes Lehmann, a Cornell professor of biogeochemistry.

As a result of global warming, soils are expected to release more carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, which, in turn, creates more warming.

Washington, Nov 20 : A new study has highlighted how the exploration of the ocean depths can benefit humankind in the field of biomedical research.

Many marine organisms such as sea anemones and corals produce fluorescent proteins, which come in a variety of dazzling hues.

Fluorescent proteins have revolutionized biomedical research by enabling the imaging of processes within living cells and tissues.

The impact of this technology is considered so high that the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was most recently awarded to scientists that discovered and further developed the first green fluorescent protein that was applied as cellular marker.

Dubai, 20th Nov.

London, Nov 19 : British iPhone users are facing a tough time using the new voice recognition software, because it does not understand British accents.

The new Google iPhone gives its users an opportunity to search for information using voice-recognition.

The high-tech programme was launched this week and allows users to search Google for cinema times, bring up pictures and information and convert

currency and measurements with one tap of the screen.

London, Nov 19 : In case the modern-day dentistry makes you wince, spare a thought for the toothache sufferers of the 18th century.

According to a rare book about the dental techniques of the period, even those treated by the most eminent practitioners were in for an agonising time.

Written in 1770 by Thomas Berdmore, who was considered to be the outstanding dentist in England, ''A Treatise on the Disorders and Deformities of the Teeth and Gums and the Most Rational Methods of Treating Them'' provides an insight into tortures endured by our forbears.

Berdmore, who was a dentist to King George III, has written about a 23-year-old woman left in a ''terrible state'' by a ''barber dentist''.

London, November 19 : The World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in New York will see this week a presentation on how GPS systems can help track traffic snarls.

One of the two systems, which went into operation earlier this month with a service known as HD Traffic, will be showcased at the event.

Media reports suggest that this system can be helpful in improving traffic reporting, and the information generated by it may be used to route traffic, assist town planners and fine-tune future assistive driving technologies.