United Kingdom

Using Internet can make you a snappy thinker

London, Oct 26 : The Internet improves people’s ability to make snap decisions and filter large amounts of information, according to a new study.

In the study, Gary Small, director of the memory and ageing research centre at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the brains of those tested were markedly more active when carrying out Internet searches than when reading books.

However, the stimulation was particularly in the areas that control decision-making and complex reasoning. Areas associated to abstract thinking and empathy showed virtually no increase in stimulation.

''Super-tomatoes'' may help keep cancer at bay

London, Oct 26 : British scientists have developed purple-coloured tomatoes that may protect against cancer.

The research team from John Innes Centre has created tomatoes genetically modified to produce antioxidants that may help keep cancer at bay.

The plant was created by introducing the genes from the snapdragon, a garden flower that allows them to produce a type of nutrient that prevents cancer.

When these tomatoes were fed to mice genetically engineered to have cancer the animals'' lifespans were significantly extended.

The researchers hope that the "super-tomato" could help people meet the government''s recommendation that everyone should eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Computer game graphics reveal vortex physics

London, Oct 26 : State-of-the-art computer graphic systems developed for movies and games have made it possible to model in unprecedented detail the swirling rings and tubes that are a characteristic of turbulent vortices.

According to a report in New Scientist, the models will help explain the forces that govern vortex decay.

This could lead to ways to control them in places where they cause problems, such as over aircraft wings or in blood vessels.

Computer graphics technology for games and movies has progressed to the point that it can render photoreal simulations of flowing liquids.

Wolves are surprisingly cleverer than dogs!

London, October 26 : A new study conducted by researcher at the University of Florida suggests that wolves, not dogs, are the clever ones.

Study leader Monique Udell and her colleagues worked with a mixture of pet dogs, dogs from animal shelters that had had minimal interaction with people, and wolves raised by humans.

The researchers exposed their animals to an experiment in which they were shown two upside-down cups, one of which covered food. A human would then gesture in some way at the cup covering the food.

The experiment was conducted with the presumption that if the animal being tested was properly interpreting the gestures, it should have been lured to the object that the experimenter was indicating.

Champions Manchester United slip up with draw at Everton

Manchester UnitedLondon- Champions Manchester United slipped up in their pursuit of Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the English Premier League on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Darren Fletcher put United in front on 22 minutes but Marouane Fellaini headed the equalizer for Everton with just under half an hour to go to give the home side a share of the spoils.

The point means United remain fifth, still five points behind Chelsea and Liverpool, who play each other at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Briatore now backs Hamilton for title

Briatore now backs Hamilton for titleLondon, Oct 25 : Flavio Briatore is now ready to put his money on Lewis Hamilton to win this year’s Formula One title - just a week after writing off his chances.

The Renault boss played down Hamilton’s chances ahead of last week’s Chinese Grand Prix, but the McLaren ace stormed to victory to leave himself on the brink of becoming F1’s youngest world champion.

Briatore claimed the fact that Hamilton let a 17-pointlead slip away last season with two races remaining was “worthy of the Guinness Book of Records.”

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