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Youngest forming planet discovered

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:56:39 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: More on this t the news site.

The false color image is a map of the radio emission (at a wavelength of 1.3 cm) emitted from the region around the star HL Tau. The candidate protoplanet is marked b. The bar at top left (marked 50 AU) indicates 50 times the Earth-Sun distance on the same scale, or about the size of the orbit of Pluto. HL Tau is located in the center of the image. The star is surrounded by a dusty disc tilted to the line of sight; only the inner part is visible here but its extent is indicated by the white ellipse. The arrows show the direction of the jets of hot gas emitted as overspill from the star growth process. VLA/Pie Town antenna [View Larger Image]

Using radio observatories in the UK and US and computer simulations, a team of astronomers has identified the youngest forming planet yet seen. Team leader Jane Greaves of the University of St. Andrews will discuss this new protoplanet in her talk at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting in Belfast on Wednesday April 2.

Tags: astronomy, birth

Witnessing the formation of distant galaxies

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:53:40 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Lucky light is as quick as it is.

Clip Source: www.astronomy.com

UK astronomers have produced the most sensitive infrared map of the distant universe ever undertaken. Combining data over a period of 3 years, they have produced an image containing over 100,000 galaxies over an area four times the size of the full Moon. Some of the first results from this project will be presented by Sebastien Foucaud from the University of Nottingham today at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting in Belfast.

Due to the finite speed of light, these observations allow astronomers to look back in time over 10 billion years, producing images of galaxies in the universe's infancy. The image is so large and so deep that thousands of galaxies can be studied at these early epochs for the first time. By observing in the infrared, astronomers can now peer further back in time, since light from the most distant galaxies is shifted towards redder wavelengths as it travels through the expanding universe.

Tags: science

Why Some Smokers Get Lung Cancer--And Others Are Spared

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:10:02 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Playing Russian roulette with a gene.

Clip Source: www.sciam.com

A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION?: New findings from three independent studies link both lung cancer and nicotine addiction to a single gene.
© ISTOCKPHOTO/KNAPE

Smoking is the most potent known cause of lung cancer. The question is: Why do some longtime smokers come down with the deadly disease whereas others escape it? New research points to a genetic culprit that also was fingered as upping a person's likelihood of becoming hooked on cigarettes.

Two new studies link a variation in a gene residing on chromosome 15 (of a person's 23 pairs of chromosomes) to a heightened risk of developing lung cancer; a third study suggests that the same mutation affects a person's tendency to become addicted to smokes and, by extension, develop the dreaded disease. Lung cancer is diagnosed in some 200,000 Americans and kills more than 150,000 each year.

Tags: gene, flaws, us

State Extends Blackwater's Deal a Year

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:57:07 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: The arrogance involved is incredible.

Clip Source: www.truthout.org

Washington - Amid investigations into fatal shootings of civilians and allegations of tax violations, Blackwater USA's multimillion-dollar contract to protect diplomats in Baghdad has been renewed, the State Department said Friday.

A final decision about whether the private security company will keep the job is pending, the department said. Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater is one of the largest private military contractors, receiving nearly $1.25 billion in federal business since 2000, according to a House committee estimate.

Blackwater provides security for diplomats in Baghdad, where the sprawling U.S. Embassy is headquartered. Its private guards act as bodyguards and armed drivers, escorting government officials when they go outside the fortified Green Zone.

Tags: bottomless, pit, of, money

Doctors issue climate change health warning

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:30:34 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Even a non believer will be able to see some of the good side to fixing up the planet. Hospitals on hills!!!!!!! will be the solution offered by many politicians.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

Doctors are warning that the health system needs to prepare for increased rates of climate change-related illness in the population.

The Climate Change Institute has released a report by Doctors for the Environment, which warns that floods, droughts, rising seas and higher temperatures caused by climate change will bring a raft of health problems.

Co-author Doctor Graeme Horton says that includes more cases of heat stroke, mosquito-transmitted diseases and gastroenteritis outbreaks.

He says its important for the health system and the community to be prepared to cope with the strain.

"Climate change is clearly much, much more than an economic inconvenience - it is a threat to our life support systems," he said.

He says the elderly, children and those living in coastal and rural areas will be among those worst affected.

"For Australian communities we're expecting in coming years more heat waves, more effects of heat stress and more days of high to extreme fire danger," he said.

Tags: health