From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Thu Jun 03 2004 - 08:57:03 PDT
----- Original Message -----
From: newsletter_at_newscientist.com<mailto:newsletter_at_newscientist.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 11:46 AM
Subject: Life goes on without 'vital' DNA
NewScientist.com newsletter, 3 June 2004
welcome to the New Scientist newsletter, which this
week reveals how life surprisingly continued as normal for mice that
had huge chunks of DNA deleted, how supposedly ephemeral computer
data hangs around as easy pickings for hackers and how baby food
could trigger meningitis.
If you would prefer to receive an HTML version of this newsletter,
EDITOR'S CHOICE:
TOP STORIES:
Risk of radioactive 'dirty bomb' growing
Passwords can sit on hard disks for years
Baby food could trigger meningitis
Cows immune to BSE near reality
Pumped-up dummy does the ironing
Genetically-modified virus explodes cancer cells
AND FINALLY...
THIS WEEK'S PRINT EDITION:
FEATURES
VENUS SPECIAL
FELLED BY FUNGUS
WHEN NERVES BREAK DOWN
TECHNOLOGY:
NEWS
To subscribe to New Scientist magazine go to:
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: Thu Jun 03 2004 - 09:14:30 PDT
please visit:
http://www.prq0.com/quickstart/survey.asp?e=XbcajfijDE-RaA&oid=UcjjbCB
It's not often that the audience at a scientific meeting gasps in
amazement during a talk. But that's what happened when researchers
revealed the result of deleting huge chunks of seemingly vital DNA
from lab mice. Instead of the serious problems they were expecting,
the mice could still run around, ate and slept normally, and overall
appeared to have nothing at all wrong with them. The discovery
leaves researchers wondering why the DNA targeted has been so
carefully conserved during evolution. MORE
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995063
Such an attack looks increasingly likely, as the world struggles to
control the trafficking of raw materials for such a weapon
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995061
Supposedly ephemeral data can hang around, warn researchers who have
found a way to track data through computer memory
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995064
An extensive survey of baby foods finds they contain worrying levels
of disease-causing microbes
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995062
Dancing lasers levitate carbon nanotubes
The trick may offer engineers who want to build microchips from
nanotube components a way to move the tiny devices into place
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995065
Massive black holes common in early Universe
Astronomers reveal hundreds of hidden giants - most are buried in
dust and were only found by combining data from several telescopes
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995060
A major advance towards producing prion-free cows is made by
researchers aiming to produce human antibodies in milk
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995059
A human-shaped dummy that fills itself with hot air is the first
machine designed for the home that can press shirts
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995058
7-million digit prime number discovered
The prime is the largest yet found, and was revealed by a
mathematics enthusiast using his desktop computer
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995057
The GM virus selectively sweeps through cancer cells and kills them,
while leaving normal tissue unharmed
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995056
Bug-laden foam destroys stink of manure
It would be sprayed onto the dung heaps or lagoons at intensive
farms, to freshen the air for local communities
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995055
'Smart bullet' reports back wirelessly
The projectile can be fired at a target and then transmit
information collected by a tiny inbuilt sensor
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995054
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if the Earth was
hollow below the crust? Frying, starving, freezing and drowning
would be just some of the problems. Find out more in this week's
Last Word section...MORE
http://www.newscientist.com/lastword/article.jsp?id=lw1094
To subscribe to New Scientist magazine go to:
http://www.qssa.co.uk/new_scientist/default.asp?promcode=1854&stu=no&rb=ng
SECOND ROCK FROM THE SUN
Just in time for Venus' first transit of the sun in 120 years, New
Scientist brings you a complete guide to the planet, including where
and when to watch the transit
The multibillion dollar trade in exotic plans is bringing a
mysterious killer to native trees around the globe
Multiple sclerosis is usually blamed on an immune attack on the
body's nerves, but neurologist Howard Weiner says there are hints of
a hidden side to MS
COOL FLAME, HOT PROSPECTS
Peculiar low-temperature flames are promising to cut pollution and
change our approach to combustion
Antibiotics in brids nests
Speeding up light
Tidal-wave warnings
http://www.qssa.co.uk/new_scientist/default.asp?promcode=1854&stu=no&rb=ng