Uncategorized
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19270
The idea of compensating tidal forces using a ring of compact matter isn’t quite “something no one has shown before.” A concept based on the same principles was analyzed 20 years ago by physicist Robert L. Forward, who published the details in a paper in Physical Review and his science-fiction novel Dragon’s Egg. Forward discussed […]
- Astronomy
Black Hole Life Preserver: Don’t get sucked in without one
By temporarily counteracting a black hole's tremendous tidal forces, a proposed black hole life preserver would slightly lengthen the life and shorten the agony of anyone exploring one of these gravitational beasts.
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19339
This article suggests that the most likely transportation system of the sandstone across the continent would have been a river system. Could it have been due to tectonic movement instead? Edward B. FanUpper Marlboro, Md. Both Utah and the Appalachians are on the North American plate, so there’s no tectonic boundary between them. Sediments from […]
- Earth
Long Ride West: Many western sediments came from Appalachians
Much of the material in several thick layers of sandstone in the western United States originated in the Appalachians.
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Dyslexia’s DNA Clue: Gene takes stage in learning disorder
For the first time, scientists have identified a gene that appears to influence the development of at least some cases of dyslexia.
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19269
This article on using magnetic fields to map and possibly treat brain disorders contrasted sharply with the article a few pages earlier about magnetic fields inducing cells to develop tumors (“Cells proliferate in magnetic fields,” SN: 9/23/00, p. 196: Available to subscribers at Cells profilerate in magnetic fields). I would strongly suggest that both the […]
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19338
Medicine needs a new paradigm. The findings described in this article suggest something better than potentially important agents and a new class of drugs to reduce cancer risk, as observed by Barnett Zumoff. If you want to reduce your cancer risk, simply do what the Polish women mentioned in the story do: Eat more cabbage, […]
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19268
Your cover article on using magnetic fields to map and possibly treat brain disorders (“Snap, crackle, and feel good?” SN: 9/23/00, p. 204: Snap, Crackle, and Feel Good?) contrasted sharply with this article a few pages earlier about magnetic fields inducing cells to develop tumors. I would strongly suggest that both the science community and […]
- Earth
Nonstick but not nontoxic
A proliferating pollutant shed by nonstick products and surfactants caused neonatal deaths and developmental impairments in tests with rodents.
- Earth
Testing computers’ hazardous potential
The approved test for evaluating the ability of wastes to leach toxic metals fails to identify lead risks from some electronics equipment.
- Earth
Big worries about little tubes
The size and chemical makeup of some nanotubes being developed for industrial operations resemble mineral fibers, including asbestos, that pose a serious cancer risk.
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Meditation changes
People who meditate display particularly strong immune responses and brain activity that has been linked to emotional improvements, according to preliminary data.
