DIYers are creating online cottage industry making Zhu-Zhu-sized accessoriesDecember 3rd, 2009 Holiday Shopping Notebook: Tutus for Zhu ZhusCHICAGO — Zhu Zhu Pets are the year's most coveted Christmas gift. Better give something that valuable the pampering it deserves.
Lebanese pop diva under fire for song comparing black Egyptians to monkeysNovember 19th, 2009 Lebanese diva accused of singing racist songCAIRO — A famous Lebanese pop singer, who normally stirs controversy for her seductive dresses and provocative dancing, has now been accused of singing a song with racist lyrics that compares black Egyptians to monkeys. Haifa Wehbe, considered by many as one of the sexiest women in the Arab world, has the minority Nubian community in Egypt distraught over her latest children's album "Baby Haifa" and the community's activists have launched several lawsuits over the lyrics.
Leatherback turtles are right flippered when it comes to laying eggsNovember 12th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, scientists have found out that leatherback turtles prefer to use their right rear flipper rather than their left when laying eggs. According to a report by BBC News, the result is the first time a species of turtle has found to prefer one limb over another.
Battery-powered hamsters become 'must have' toy for Christmas 2009November 9th, 2009 LONDON - Brit parents are thronging toy shops in a bid to lay their hands on battery-powered hamsters that have become the latest Christmas craze this year. Priced at around 10 pounds, these Go Go Pets, known as Zhu Zhu pets is the latest entrant in the toy market to have swept the consumers.
Pet dog better companion than partner on stranded desert island!October 30th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Most people would prefer being stranded on a desert island with their dog than a human, a new study has found. The survey found that 56 percent of the 1000 pet lovers questioned online could not stay away from their pets.
Land Cruiser is more eco-friendly than your dog!October 24th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, scientists have determined that pets can play a large part in increasing greenhouse gas emissions, with calculations indicating that a Land Cruiser's eco-footprint being about 0.41 hectares, which is less than half that of a medium-sized dog. According to a report in New Scientist, the research was done by Robert and Brenda Vale, two architects who specialise in sustainable living at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
Scientists develop 'scaffold' to regenerate lost or damaged bones, tissuesOctober 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Lizard has a unique ability to regrow body tissue that is damaged or torn. If its tail is pulled off, it grows right back.
Novel bio-technique can help regenerate bones tooOctober 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Nature has provided the lizard with a unique ability to regrow body tissue that is damaged or torn; if its tail is pulled off, it grows right back. A bio-technique developed by Tel Aviv University (TAU) might be able to do something similar, helping humans replace lost or missing bones and damaged tissues.
Just like humans, monkeys too fall into the 'uncanny valley'October 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - It is well documented that humans freak out by almost-but-not-quite-real depictions of themselves. This visual phenomenon experienced by humans is known as the 'uncanny valley.' Now, researchers at Princeton University have found that monkeys have the tendency to react in the similar way.
Now, snakes and ladders game on iPhonesOctober 7th, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - A company based out of Technopark in this Kerala capital has developed the snakes and ladders board game for iPhones and iTouch. "The Apple company after seeing the game asked us to re-do it as it had the iPhone logo.
Nintendo fitness game 'Wii Fit Plus' adds pet supportOctober 2nd, 2009 Nintendo's 'Wii Fit Plus' adds pet supportLOS ANGELES — Pet owners can weigh themselves with their furry friends on "Wii Fit Plus," the follow-up to the top-selling Nintendo workout game. The updated title lets players create avatars of their dogs and cats, enter information such as their pet's birthday, and use the scalelike Wii Balance Board controller to weigh themselves and their pets.
How whales and dolphins evolvedSeptember 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has shed new light on the origin and evolution of cetaceans like whales and dolphins. The origin of whales, dolphins, and porpoises-with their highly modified legs and lack of hair-has long been a quandary for mammalogists.
Jumbo Transformer, squeaking hamster among the toys on Toys R Us' holiday toy listSeptember 24th, 2009 Toys R Us makes its bets on holiday toysNEW YORK — The nation's biggest toy-store chain is placing its holiday bets — and because the stakes are high, the prices are lower. If Toys R Us' testing is any indication, a $10 toy hamster might be a runaway hit.
Fungus makes frog communities undergo "McDonaldization"September 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have said that the frog communities are undergoing the process of "McDonaldization", thanks to a fungus hammering the biodiversity of their communities and making them resemble each other. Everyone knows that frogs are in trouble and that some species have disappeared, but a recent analysis of Central American frog surveys shows the situation is worse than had been thought.
Scientists work to keep Terrapin turtle off endangered species listSeptember 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers, exploring strategies for conserving the Diamondback Terrapin along Alabama's Dauphin Island coastline, are working to keep the once-celebrated turtle off the endangered species list. The Diamondback Terrapin has been a delicacy, a source of state taxes and a casualty of commercial development and victim of new predators, but now its prospects are improved by a UAB-based turtle hatchery that may accelerate the growth of the fledgling population.
