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Hunger is Main Driver of Stone Juggling in Otters, New Study Shows

A team of researchers from the University of Exeter has studied potential drivers of ‘rock juggling’ in two species of otters in zoo environments. Although elusive in the wild, otters are noted to be very playful and inquisitive animals based on observations in captivity. The animals are often seen lying on their backs and batting [...]




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Raptorial Dinosaurs Did Not Hunt in Coordinated Packs, Paleontologists Say

An analysis of the fossilized teeth of Deinonychus antirrhopus, a species of wolf-sized dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived between 115 and 108 million years ago (Cretaceous period) in what is now the United States, adds to the growing evidence that this and other raptors were not complex social hunters by modern mammalian standards. The image of [...]




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Deep, Perennial or Semi-Perennial Rivers Flowed on Early Mars

While the present-day Martian surface is generally dry and cold, its sedimentary rocks contain compelling evidence for the former presence of liquid water. According to a new analysis of orbital images of 3.7-billion-year-old sedimentary layers at Izola mensa, an outcrop in the northwestern rim of the Hellas impact crater on Mars, deep rivers were active [...]




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All product creators can learn something from Jackbox Games’ user experiences

While Jackbox clearly owes a great deal of its current popularity to the shelter-in-place policies, they've also been honing their craft for years. It's worth looking at what makes them work.




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Microsoft showcases 13 new titles for the Xbox Series X

With conferences canceled indefinitely, companies are increasingly reliant on online events to hype product launches. As they prepare to release a next-gen console before the end of the year, expect plenty of live streams and blogs from both Microsoft and Sony in an attempt to flesh out all that their respective systems have to offer. […]




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U.S. chief justice puts hold on disclosure of Russia investigation materials

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday put a temporary hold on the disclosure to a Democratic-led House of Representatives committee of grand jury material redacted from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.




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Lori Loughlin, other parents lose bid to dismiss U.S. college scam charges

A federal judge on Friday declined to dismiss the charges against "Full House" actress Lori Loughlin and other wealthy parents awaiting trial in the U.S. college admissions scandal after they accused investigators of fabricating evidence.




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Pence spokeswoman, married to top Trump adviser, diagnosed with coronavirus

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary, the wife of one of President Donald Trump's senior advisers, has tested positive for the coronavirus, raising alarm about the virus' potential spread within the White House's inner most circle.




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White House's Birx to take key role in coronavirus drug distribution

U.S. coronavirus task force response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx will have a leading role in how the first drug to demonstrate a benefit in treating COVID-19 patients will be distributed to hospitals, the White House said on Friday.




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Rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard dies at age 87: Rolling Stone

Little Richard, the self-proclaimed "architect of rock 'n' roll" who built his ground-breaking sound with a boiling blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues and gospel, died on Saturday at the age of 87, Rolling Stone magazine reported.




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Coronavirus outbreak: Eight flights from several countries to fly back stranded Indians today

New Dlehi, May 09: Several Indians, who are stranded in at least seven countries due to coronavirus outbreak, is all set to fly back to their home country on Saturday in special flights under Vande Bharat Mission. According to officials,





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Aviation Sector in India Stares at Rs 25,000 Crore Loss Due to COVID-19 Crisis: Crisil

The report by Crisil also added that the losses will climb if travel restrictions last longer in hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.





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Air India Crew Involved in Repatriation Flights Should Stay Back in Delhi, Says Noida Police Commissioner

Noida Police Commissioner has written to national carrier Air India, requesting the airline to ensure that pilots and crew involved in repatriation flights should stay back in Delhi.





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Coronavirus outbreak: Tamil Nadu residents stranded in foreign countries return

Chennai, May 09: About 359 people arrived in Tamil Nadu early on Saturday from Dubai in two Air India flights as part of the government's Vande Bharat Mission to bring home Indian nationals stranded in various countries. Among the passengers





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Digest for domestic stories for week May 2 - May 8, 2020




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Coronavirus Lockdown 3.0: Suspension of labour laws by fiat can only be an immediate-term response to the current crisis

There has been talk for some time now about easing labour laws, already seen in industry circles as being too rigid and acting as a drag on growth, specifically to facilitate emerging from the lockdown. And it’s not just a question of emerging from it, there’s also the issue of surviving what looks like being a brutal and prolonged global economic downturn. It was reported on Friday that ordinances were being issued in some states.





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NIA arrests narco-terrorist from Sirsa




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Lockdown-affected 'Divyangjan': MP NGO writes to CJI for help




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Govt disburses Rs 18,253 cr to 9.13 cr farmers under PM-KISAN scheme during lockdown




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First repatriation flight from London takes off for Mumbai




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Narco-terrorist with links to Kashmiri terror groups nabbed by NIA in Haryana




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Tamil Nadu eases lockdown restrictions in non-containment zones from Monday

Chennai, May 09: Tamil Nadu government has announced some relaxations in the Coronavirus lockdown in non-containment zones from May 11. The extension includes working hours of standalone and neighbourhood shops and allowing private establishments to function with a reduced number of employees





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Vande Bharat Mission: Air India flight carrying Indian nationals from Dhaka arrives in Delhi

New Delhi, May 09 (ANI): An Air India flight carrying 129 passengers from Dhaka, Bangladesh has landed at Delhi airport. The stranded Indian nationals are being brought back to the country through government’s initiative, ‘Vande Bharat Mission’.





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Punjab CM warns Pak against attempts to spread 'narco terrorism'




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First Air India Repatriation Flight From London To Mumbai Takes Off With 100 Percent Occupancy

Around 250 Indian students and tourists were seen queuing with their luggage at the airport as they prepared for the journey home.





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Why ‘Propaganda’ Against Safoora Is A Step Back for Women’s Rights

Misogynistic campaign against Safoora reiterates that gender equality in our country is a distant dream.





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Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Warns Pak Against Attempts to Spread 'Narco Terrorism'

Our eyes are open to what Pakistan is doing, Singh said, hours after the NIA arrested a "notorious narco-terrorist" who acted as a conduit for Pakistan-based terror groups.





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First repatriation flight from London takes off for Mumbai with 326 Indians




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Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours




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Indian envoys in Gulf nations assure expats of more repatriation flights




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Higher step count linked to lower yearly risk of death, up to a point

An analysis of the daily steps taken by about 5000 people in the US has found that a higher step count is linked to a lower yearly risk of death, although the effect tails off above 12,000 steps




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The bacteria in a mother’s gut may protect babies from food allergies

The presence of bacteria that break down fibre in a mother’s gut is linked to a reduced risk of food allergies in her child’s first year of life




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Eating too much salt seems to impair body's ability to fight bacteria

High salt intake seems to impair the immune cells in humans that fight bacteria because of a side effect of the hormones that help get rid of salt




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Greta: We must fight the climate crisis and pandemic simultaneously

In an exclusive interview, climate activist Greta Thunberg has told New Scientist that the coronavirus pandemic shows we can act quickly in an emergency




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The science of crispy: how to make perfect pork crackling

What is it that turns tough pork skin into amazing crackling? Sam Wong reveals the secret to that wonderful crispy crunch




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Experimental diabetes device works by killing gut cells with hot water

A device that carries hot water down a tube into the gut may help manage diabetes by killing overgrown gut cells that release hormones key to metabolising food




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Does the ACE2 protein explain covid-19 risk for underlying conditions?

Does a cell surface protein explain why the coronavirus is more likely to kill people with diabetes or heart disease? Researchers are trying to find out




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Urine test can predict how much a baby will grow in six months’ time

Metabolites from urine or blood samples can be used to predict how much a baby will grow six months ahead of time, which could improve interventions for chronic malnutrition




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Psychology tips for maintaining social relationships during lockdown

Touch is key to social relationships, and while coronavirus social distancing measures may limit physical interactions, there are still many ways to connect from afar, says evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar




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End of one-child policy in China linked to rise in birth anomalies

Following China’s switch to a two-child policy, there has been a slight rise in congenital anomalies, perhaps because parents are older on average at conception




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Could the coronavirus trigger post-viral fatigue syndromes?

Conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome have been linked to viral infections, so it’s possible that the covid-19 virus may go on to trigger similar conditions




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Wuhan’s covid-19 crisis: Intensive care doctors share their stories

Three doctors reveal what it was like at the heart of Hubei province’s coronavirus crisis, as the epidemic peaked in Wuhan and spread elsewhere




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My patient's marriage was saved by a brain injury

Our brains influence all aspects of our lives, including our sexual desires. This means brain injuries can have some surprising effects, says Amee Baird




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An unequal society means covid-19 is hitting ethnic minorities harder

People from an ethnic minority are disproportionately affected by covid-19. Researchers say the reasons are rooted in existing social and healthcare inequalities




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BCG vaccine being trialled as potential protection against covid-19

A long-standing hypothesis suggests the BCG vaccine also serves to generally enhance the immune system, meaning it could protect against covid-19, and trials are under way to find out




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Pet food can contain drug-resistant bacteria that may pass to humans

Some dogs and cats may be passing gut microbes to their owners that withstand last-resort antibiotics, which can be needed to fight off pneumonia from a coronavirus infection




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Research volunteers won't be told of their coronavirus genetic risk

Half a million people taking part in the UK Biobank, which gathers genetic information for researchers to study, won't be told if they turn out to be genetically vulnerable to the coronavirus




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Electrical devices implanted in the brain may help treat anorexia

In a small trial, implanting electrodes into the brain helped women with severe anorexia gain weight and feel less anxious and depressed




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Drinking coffee appears to cause epigenetic changes to your DNA

Coffee has been linked to changes on our DNA that affect how active certain genes are. The finding may help explain some of coffee's touted health benefits




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Rotten fish smell could detect awareness in people with brain injuries

It can be difficult for doctors to assess the level of consciousness in people who have had serious brain injuries, but observing their reaction to strong odours may help