Letters to the Editor
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19836
This article states that although men who suffer from migraines are more likely to experience heart attacks, scientists have failed to find a biological mechanism linking them. Such a link seems to be suggested in an earlier Science News article, “A Gasping Heart” (SN: 4/7/07, p. 218), which states that a patent foramen ovale is […]
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19835
When this article says that “scientists don’t expect traditional silicon-based solar cells to become competitive with fossil fuels,” one has to ask, “Ever?” Can anyone accurately predict the future price of polysilicon or of fossil fuels? Peter A. KaczowkaLenox, Mass. Your article notes as a put-down that it would be necessary to build a 1-gigawatt […]
- Humans
Letters from the May 26, 2007, issue of Science News
It’s cold out there I couldn’t help noticing the last sentence of “World’s climate map gets an update” (SN: 3/24/07, p. 190): “One of the system’s 30 possible climate subtypes—a temperate climate with a cold, dry summer—wasn’t found anywhere on Earth.” The comment reveals that the writer has never read Mark Twain’s comment that the […]
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19834
In view of the extreme importance of atmospheric carbon dioxide, I would have expected the momentous conclusion that southern oceans aren’t absorbing the expected increased amount of CO2, as well as the assertion that nutrient-enriched water absorbs CO2 less effectively than leaner water does, to be confirmed by field observations. As presented, your article appears […]
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19833
The fact that various teas contain beneficial antioxidants is well-known. Many claim to be slimming. Is it only oolong that inhibits fat absorption, and, if so, why? James C. MatthewsCoral Springs, Fla. Lauren Budd of the University of California, Davis works only with oolong. She acknowledges that research by others has shown a slimming effect […]
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19832
Doesn’t this article on flywheels leave out a significant aspect: the gyroscope effects of a rotating large mass? Wouldn’t it be a benefit for moving installations (stabilization) and a problem for immobile installations? Lee HukillPalo Alto, Calif. In the article, the flywheels depicted appear to have vertical axles. I presume that this prevents inertial forces […]
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19831
Kudos for Science News for this article. I think this holistic view of the microbe community—rather than investigating the single organism—offers a hopeful path to numerous insights for preventive measures for optimum health. Terry MooreCorvallis, Ore.
- Humans
Letters from the May 19, 2007, issue of Science News
Merry go round When considering a spin rate of 1,122 revolutions per second, has anyone determined the diameter of the neutron star XTE J1739-285 (“Dance of the dead,” SN: 3/17/07, p. 173)? If, for example, it were the same diameter as Earth, it would be traveling far in excess of the speed of light at […]
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19830
Perhaps there need not be “degrees of quantumness”. As the beams pass increasingly closer to the surface, the plate will induce a small (but increasingly larger) spread of energies (hence wavelengths) in the electrons within the beam, possibly explaining the “smearing out” of the fringes in the interference pattern. Michael D. MeloySanta Barbara, Calif. Peter […]
- Humans
Letters from the May 12, 2007, issue of Science News
Saw right through it E. Fred Schubert and his colleagues are to be congratulated for developing an improved antireflective coating (“The New Black: A nanoscale coating reflects almost no light,” SN: 3/3/07, p. 132). But the coating would not make a lens “absorb” more light. Rather, it would help the lens “propagate” the light. Nathaniel […]
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19829
Ethanol is not an alternative to petroleum-based fuel to reduce air pollution. It is a grow-it-at-home alternative to foreign-source petroleum-based fuel. It takes only 2 years to build an ethanol-extraction plant but 10 years to build a petroleum-extraction plant. Right now, as long as ethanol doesn’t increase air pollution, I’ll take it. Lin DanielChatsworth, Calif. […]
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19828
A concern I have for a new route algorithm to replace algorithms that “may overlook shorter routes for the sake of following major highways” is exemplified by the fact that here in southern Oregon, every winter, people get lost and occasionally die taking the “shorter routes” as suggested by car-navigation systems or online trip plotters. […]
