Jerusalem, April 14 : New archaeological evidence has emerged which suggests that ancient Jews used human skulls in ceremonies, despite a strict prohibition on touching human remains.

According to a report in Haaretz News, British researcher Dan Levene from the University of Southampton published findings in Biblical Archaeological Review about the human skulls, known as incantation bowls, some of which bear inscriptions in Aramaic.

Washington, April 14 : Archaeologists working in an Egyptian oasis have found a necropolis containing dozens of brightly painted mummies dating back as far as 4,000 years.

The necropolis was uncovered near the Ilahun pyramid in Fayoum oasis south of Cairo.

According to a report in Middle East Online, the linen-wrapped mummies are painted in the still-bright traditional ancient Egyptian colours of turquoise, terracotta and gold.

“The mission found dozens of mummies in 53 rock-hewn tombs dating to the Middle Kingdom from 2061-1786 BC,” said Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s antiquities chief.

London, April 13 : Planning a day out with your family? Well, scientists have found a formula to make the experience perfect.

According to experts, parents wanting a stress-free day out with the kids should leave home at 8.37am and travel no more than 52 miles, reports the Scotsman.

A successful trip will also require around six-and-a-half hours at the beach, theme park or zoo with the children taking part in at least three different activities.

The temperature during the day should be a balmy 20C for an ideal trip and a party of two adults and two children around the age of eight will also ensure the excursion is enjoyable.

Washington, April 13 : A team of scientists has demonstrated, for the first time, lasers in which the direction of oscillation of the emitted radiation, known as polarization, can be designed and controlled at will.

The demonstration was made by applied scientists at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), in collaboration with researchers from Hamamatsu Photonics in Hamamatsu City, Japan.

The innovation opens the door to a wide range of applications in photonics and communications.

Washington, Apr 13 : By conducting parallel studies in human and mouse, two groups of scientists have found that a new kind of gene, called a microRNA, is linked with progressive hearing loss.

MicroRNA is a tiny fragment of RNA that affects the production of hundreds of other molecules within sensory hair cells of the inner ear.

One team, led by researchers from the Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, followed families who showed hearing loss.

New Delhi, April 13 : China is all set to launch the second satellite, the Chinese version of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), into the orbit on Wednesday.

This was announced by a spokesman of the Xichang Space Launch Center, in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Both the rocket, a Long March-III carrier, and the satellite are in sound conditions and ready for the planned projection, according to the official.