Nanobacteria
Two separate reports in the Journal of Proteome Research say
that nanobacteria in rain clouds could be a contributing factor in
diseases around the world.
Nanobacteria
Two separate reports in the Journal of Proteome Research say that nanobacteria in rain clouds could be a contributing factor in diseases around the world. Nanobacteria are microorganisms that are considerably smaller than ordinary bacteria, and Dr. Andrei P. Sommer of the University of Ulm and Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe of Cardiff University believe there is evidence they may contribute to serious diseases such as the formation of kidney stones, heart disease and HIV. Nanobacteria have now been identified in humans on four continents, they add. The microorganisms are lifted high into the atmosphere by wind currents, where they often form the center of raindrops and spread globally, the team says.
Pacific Eruption
A powerful eruption from a volcano in the Northern Marianas Islands sent a cloud of ash and gas soaring 50,000 feet above the U.S. Pacific territory. The cloud darkened the skies over the region, and residents on Rota, Tinian and Saipan were warned to expect a rain of volcanic ash. People with respiratory ailments were advised to stay indoors. The volcano on uninhabited Anatahan produced more powerful eruptions shortly after its first activity in recorded history began last May.
Indian Ocean Cyclones
A pair of strong tropical cyclones churned the open waters of the central Indian Ocean. Cyclone Isang passed well to the east of Rodrigues Island before dissipating over cooler waters. Cyclone Adeline strengthened to category-4 force far from any land areas.
Nuclear Bomb Redesign
A senior official announced the United States has plans to develop new nuclear weapons that can be produced easily, without testing. Linton Brooks, administrator of the Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration, revealed the “Reliable Replacement Warhead” could be ready for deployment as early as 2012. The new warheads would replace the aging arsenal of W-76 nuclear bombs that were designed in the 1970s. Brooks’ report to a Senate Armed Forces subcommittee said the new bombs would be built with “more environmentally benign materials,” whose safety and reliability could be assured with highest confidence, without nuclear testing, for as long as the United States requires nuclear forces.
Drought Threat
More than 100 wild elephants in northern Thailand are facing starvation due to the severe drought in Southeast Asia, the Bangkok Post reported. The prolonged dry spell has reduced water volume in many streams and caused forest fires that destroyed natural food habitats for elephants.
Iceberg Unblocked
The world’s largest floating chunk of ice unexpectedly began moving again after being halted three months ago by a collision with a huge tongue of Antarctic ice. Iceberg B15A broke off from the Ross Ice Shelf in 2000 and has been blocking access to key Antarctic research stations since it became lodged at the mouth of McMurdo Sound in January. The new movement gives hope for the tens of thousands of Adele penguin chicks that have been facing starvation. B15A has blocked their parent’s access to the open sea, forcing them to trudge up to 110 miles to gather food.
Earthquakes
The northwest Sumatra aftershock zone was rocked by a string of aftershocks, with the most powerful occurring as members of the region’s Catholic minority gathered in the open air to grieve for Pope John Paul II and their own dead.
n A magnitude 4.1 quake centered in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman injured 24 people around the town of Ravar.
n Earth movements were also felt in southeastern Sumatra, the central Philippines, New Zealand’s South Island, northeastern and southern Japan, the Cayman Islands, south-central Alaska and southeastern Massachusetts.
A World of Laughter
Animals are capable of laughing and experiencing emotions, according to research by neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp of Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He says his team discovered that dogs, chimpanzees and rats all displayed forms of laughter and joy during play – behavior earlier thought to be reserved for humans. Panksepp says that while adult rodents appear to not have a sense of humor, “young rats have a marvelous sense of fun.”
He hopes his discovery will lead to more understanding of the evolution of human emotions and brain chemistry, as well as emotional problems such as autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders.
– Steve Newman
