Home  »  Headline News

On:

Scientist now say we are definitely not alone, that our universe contains an infinite number of other universes, much like our own, called O-regions, and that we may someday be able to contact them.

Jaume Garriga, of the University of Barcelona and Alexander Vilenkin, of Tufts University, say that their ?many worlds in one? concept means that these other worlds are likely to be similar to our own, with similar life forms. They will publish their hypothesis this fall in the journal Gravitation and Quantum Cosmology.
read more

On:

British medical records indicate that one man contracted Foot-and-mouth disease, previously thought to only affect livestock.

During an isolated outbreak of Foot-and-mouth in 1966, Bobby Brewis, aged 35, was diagnosed with the disease and quarantined. The British Medical Journal published an article about the case at the time, saying, ?The patient described his lesions as uncomfortable and tingling, while the tongue was hot, tingling and sore.? Brewis died 6 years ago, but Foot-and-mouth had no long-term effects on his health.

Scientists say that the virus can be transmitted to humans if they come into direct and prolonged contact with infected animals. Why Brewis would have been in extended physical contact with infected animals is not known.
read more

On:

A U.S. Geological Survey scientist says he was fired for his internet posting of politically sensitive maps illustrating the biodiversity of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge where President Bush wants to drill for oil.

?I had bad timing!? said Ian Thomas. He says the maps contained information that was already public. He has posted data about bird and mammal migrations, vegetation and ice formations, but when he posted a map of caribou calving areas in the refuge, it cost him his job.
read more

On:

NASA’s ACE spacecraft recorded a strong interplanetary shock wave at 0025UT on March 31st. The shock wave struck earth’s magnetosphere 30 minutes later. The leading edge of the wave was proton-dense and strongly magnetic.

These are characteristics that can lead to significant geomagnetic disturbances. The shock wave may be the first of two that will strike the earth in quick succession. Until the second passes the ACE spacecraft, its strength will not be known, but if it is as strong, the planet will be subjected to powerful and prolonged magentic storms. It is possible that the waves combined enroute and this will be the only one, but another wave is more likely.
read more