Letters to the Editor

19251

This article says that the S waves travel at about one-half the speed of the P waves. Then, in “Seismic waves resolve continental debate” on page 285 of the same issue (Available to subscribers at Seismic waves resolve continental debate), it would appear that the P waves travel at one-half the speed of the S […]

19250

Regarding this article, consider how many species current Homo sapiens would be divided into using the criteria of paleoanthropologists, considering Pygmies and basketball players. Rick Fisher Richland, Wash.

19249

A mild objection: This article on lichens mentioned that lichens are composed of fungi and algae, a type of protist, as if it were a given that all agree to. While it is true that the majority of taxonomists would classify an alga as a protist, there still are a large number of modern taxonomists […]

19248

This article suggests that exposure to microbes in early life helps develop a child’s immune system. Speaking of dietary habits among 18th-century “Scotch-Irish” immigrants to the back-country regions of colonial America, David Hackett Fischer notes in Albion’s Seed (1989, Oxford University Press): “The quality of butter was believed to be improved in proportion to the […]

19317

This article speaks of a very interesting phenomenon that makes the cloning of primates seemingly impossible. Perhaps the nature of our DNA will resist our attempts to clone it because it was never meant to be cloned. Mark WeilnauSt. Louis, Mo. The article notes that it is “almost impossible to clone a person by using […]

19239

This article says that the alpha decay of bismuth-209 was not listed in any reference table. As much as I hate to disagree, the “Chart of the Nuclides,” 12th edition revised to April 1977, by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory for Naval Reactors, USDOE, that I have hanging on my wall lists the half-life of bismuth-209 […]

19238

“Sensing a Vibe: Seismic-alert system could give Los Angeles a few seconds’ warning” (SN: 5/3/03, p. 276: Sensing a Vibe: Seismic-alert system could give Los Angeles a few seconds’ warning) says that the S waves travel at about one-half the speed of the P waves. Then, in this article, it would appear that the P […]

19237

This article presumes that immanent-justice judgments are irrational. However, poor self-image and other psychosomatic stressors are already suspected of suppressing immunity. Many suspect that momentary emotional flare-ups precede cold and flu symptoms by a couple of days. An elaborate series of experiments might determine whether guilt over past crimes (or crime-motivating rage) made wrongdoers more […]

19316

The surprising statistic that teenage calorie consumption has remained stable while obesity has burgeoned and that physical activity among this group has fallen sharply may well suggest a cause and effect, but such a conclusion is premature and untested, at best. I wonder whether closer analysis of food intake would demonstrate an overall shift away […]

19315

The iron-sulfide hypothesis of life’s origin that Michael J. Russell and William Martin propose in this article is attractive because it provides an inorganic cell wall and a matrix with some catalytic capabilities. But even if the Russell-Martin hypothesis is true, it isn’t a comprehensive theory of bioorigins. The cardinal difficulty in the origin of […]

19314

This article addresses how much energy is given up in the viscous processes of a thin sheet of turbulent fluid. The technique used to stir the soap film grabbed my attention. Is it possible that the electromagnetic emissions from the sun influence Earth’s winds in an analogous manner by acting on the naturally occurring ions […]

19236

I have some questions regarding the statistics presented in this article. It states that up to 19 percent of women undergoing abortion experience regrets afterward. However, 50 percent of the women in the study have had multiple abortions. It seems reasonable to assume that these women would be far less likely to have regrets than […]