Science Special News

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Genetic mutant lobster caught

The newest addition to the Mount Desert Oceanarium's lobster colony looks half-baked. But it's nothing personal. The rare 1-pound crustacean, caught earlier this week in Steuben, is a genetic mutation with a two-toned shell. One side is the usual mottled dark green. The other side is the orange-red shade of a lobster that's already spent some time in the hot pot.The odds of this kind of mutation occurring are very rare - something like one in 50 million to 100 million, according to oceanarium staff. The chance of finding a blue lobster is far more common, at one in a million. "Isn't he pretty?" Bette Spurling of Southwest Harbor cooed Thursday as she stroked the lobster's shell to calm him down. "It's quite a drawing card for people because they're quite unusual."Spurling is the wife of a lobsterman and works part time at the oceanarium. She explained that lobster shells are usually a blend of the three primary colors - red, yellow and blue. Those colors mix to form the greenish-brown of most lobsters. This lobster, though, has no blue in half of its shell.

That was a shock to longtime lobsterman Alan Robinson, who hauled him out of Dyer's Bay in Steuben. "I didn't know what to think," Robinson said. "I thought somebody was playing a joke on me. Once I saw what it was ... it was worth seeing. I've caught a blue one before. But they claim this is rarer than the blue ones." In his 20-plus years of fishing, he has never seen a lobster like this one. "It was something with the line drawn so straight like that," Robinson said. Bernard Arseneau, the former manager at the oceanarium's affiliated lobster hatchery, drove to Lubec on Wednesday to pick up the two-toned creature. He explained that lobsters have a growth pattern in which the two sides develop independently of each other.

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The effect of paranormal TV shows

Glenn Sparks picked a good time to start thinking about ghosts. With the increasing number of paranormal shows dotting the new season's TV line-up, public interest in the paranormal is steadily rising. Since the early 1990s, Sparks, a professor of communication, has been researching how the media affects the public's belief in the paranormal."I had done a number of studies early in my career on the effects of frightening movies on emotional reactions that children had. I was interested in the sorts of things that scared children in the media at different points in their development and what parents could do to help children who were scared," said Sparks.Sparks noticed most of the programming, which caused the frightened reactions, were shows that involved ghosts, aliens and other similar programming. Around the same time, Sparks noticed an increase in paranormal programming."I've always been interested in how media affects what people believe. I just became interested in how (paranormal) depictions were being framed and what their effects might be on the viewing public," said Sparks.Sparks said he has done about seven studies on the subject and is looking forward to starting his next project. Sparks' next research project will be studying ghosts, particularly how the media depicts ghosts and how that affects what people believe.

"Ghosts are very commonly represented in the media," said Sparks. "Ghosts and psychics are two that I would like to look at."He has found that a large percentage of the public admits to believing in ghosts or have not decided whether or not they believe in ghosts. He would also like to look at whether or not a person's prior belief in ghosts can predict the emotional reaction a person might have to a movie about ghosts."(Researching the paranormal) has opened up so many different realms of exploration," Sparks said. "As a result, I've become familiar with a lot of the skeptical societies out there and their publications."The magazine Sparks enjoys the most is the Skeptical Inquirer, which is published by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. Benjamin Radford, managing editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, said the paranormal stories the media present is just a reflection of what the public is interested in."The amount someone believes in the paranormal more or less goes up and down," said Radford. "Paranormal shows have always stayed around because there is always an interest in what's out there."

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In review - Charmed: Demon Dopplegangers

Written by Greg Elliot, Charmed: Demon Doppelgangers is a media-tie-in novel of around 35,000 words aimed primarily towards Young adults of the fan base of the tv show, Charmed (created by Constance M. Burge). One of the more recent novels in the Simon & Schuster 'Charmed' series line, Demon Doppelgangers is definitely one book that, once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down until you reach "the end". Right from Chapter one, line one, the story is full of mysterious intrigue which motivates the never- ending action. What makes 'Doppelgangers' and interest- ing asventure, is the interweaving of ancient Greek culture and mythology, which Elliot manages to accomplish success- fully. He draws Paige Matthews (nay, "Halliwell") immedi- ately into the action, by showing her applying to be a tour guide for the Legion of Honor Museum; this museum has just recently agreed to showcase a mysterious touring exhibit of Greek antiquities. Although, in order to get the job as a tour guide, Paige is required to know more detailed information concern- ing the ancient gods, goddesses, demons, and heroic figures and creatures who were notable in historical Greece; as well, Paige knows quite a lot about the art, artists, and architect- ure of ancient Greek Culture. (It could be easily assumed that she was able to additionally draw on her own 'life- experience'--when "The Power of Three" had fought (and defeated) the Titans. (This was shown in the Charmed episodes: Oh, My Goddess--parts 1 & 2.). For where ever Paige based her knowledge on, she is hired, on the spot, during her interview with museum director, Grace Stephens. And as Fate would have it, the director also hires several additional tour guides; among them, a really cute gentleman to whom Paige instantly takes a fancy to--and hopes to get to know better.

However, she has no idea if she will have much time to let the cute guy, Chase, know her thoughts about the two of them as a couple, because Chase is only in San Fransisco temporarily. He may likely be returning to his home in Kansas. One afternoon, while Paige and Chase are working on moving some pieces of the exhibit, Chase inadvertantly picks up a large stone-looking piece (which Paige says gives her the creeps!) which is supposed to represent an ancient dragon egg, and with no knowledge what so ever of what he is doing or saying, Chase recites the words which are written on the stone-egg. In doing this, the stone cracks open slightly just enough for a strange, creepy mist to escape. This is an ages old demon who was imprisoned inside the stone-egg. One thing Paige learns quickly, is that the Demon exhibits a unique chameleon-like ability. The chameleon characteristic of this particular demon allows him to morph and shapeshift into any physical form he wishes. And in this instance, the demon chooses to don the appearance of the person who set him free from his stone cold prison; Paige's friend, Chase. From the moment the demon is released, the action and "ticking clock" momentum are non-stop.

The Halliwell sisters definitely have their Wicca work cut out for them this time, as they have never fought with a demon like this before. Because the demon can not be vanquished very easily. For when he is killed in one 'Charmed' way or another, he resurrects himself with more aggression and immunities than before; as the demon, when he is killed in one way and then resurrects himself, he is immune from being killed in that one particular way--ever again. So, How can the Charmed Ones vanquish an ancient demon who can't stay vanquished? It's definitely a demonic dilemma. And the sisters need to figure out how to destroy the demon for good, forever; before the demon accomplishes its own agenda.........to completely destroy the world! All in all, Demon Doppelgangers is most definitely worth reading (and owning), and will surely weave its Charm- ing magic over a reader; as a spell that makes the reader not want to put down the book until they reach " The End". On a scale of one to twelve, Greg Elliot's Demon Doppelgangers is certainly a twelve. It is a piece of history -- that's Classic.

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'UFO sighting' in Auckland

Mystery surrounds an apparent unidentified flying object seen in the skies above Auckland's Viaduct Basin. Sunday News has obtained footage of the object - spotted flying at speed over the waterfront in broad daylight. We have sent the image to the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence - both of which have been unable to identify it. The sighting has also been referred to the world's foremost UFO expert, American Dr Bruce Maccabee - who works with the Roswell UFO Museum. Roswell, New Mexico, is the site of a reported UFO crash in 1947, during a spate of hundreds of "flying saucer" reports in America. The American airforce issued an official release confirming the discovery of a "flying disc" but quickly changed their story after the government became involved - leading to cover-up claims. The object photographed at the Viaduct Basin was flying above the industrial tank farm in the mid-morning sun last October. It was taken by well-known photographer Richard Simpson who was completing an assignment for a magazine feature. "It was travelling extremely fast. In fact I'd have to say definitely faster than a bird," Simpson told Sunday News.

"If it was clearly a bird we'd say, `Nah it's a bird' and forget it. The way it came into the frame, it was that fast moving, it was a lucky grab." Art director Duncan Lucas, who was working with Simpson, decided it needed further investigation. He was unable to explain it even after bringing the image up to a higher resolution. "I'd like an explanation. I don't know what it is," Lucas said. "Personally I'm not a UFO believer, I remain unconvinced either way. "I don't know if it's a pod of little green men - but I'd like to know what was flying around that day. "It is a real mystery." Simpson and Lucas brought the image to Sunday News' attention after reclaiming the film following the magazine's closure.

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Safe landing for space shuttle Discovery

The landing gear of space shuttle Discovery touched the concrete of the Kennedy Space Center's landing strip at 0914 EDT (1314 GMT) on Monday. The safe landing followed 13 busy days in space for its six crew members, whose mission has left International Space Station (ISS) ready for renewed construction. "Thanks, it was a great mission, a really great mission and we enjoyed the entry and the landing," commander Steve Lindsey told mission control after touchdown.For the landing, entry flight director Steve Stich decided he would have Lindsey approach the runway from the northeast instead of the southwest, in order to avoid thunderstorms that just formed south of the runway. Lindsey and pilot Mark Kelly still had to fly through a deck of clouds.This flight was the second test flight for NASA following the Columbia accident in 2003. Since then, the space agency has worked to redesign the external fuel tank to reduce the amount of foam insulation that comes off during launch. This was what ultimately led to the destruction of Columbia. But even after a redesign, another sizable chunk of foam fell off during Discovery's launch in 2005.This time, however, both the tank and the orbiter performed well. Once in orbit, the crew used the robot arm and a boom to check for any damage from foam and ice.

They performed a second inspection near the end of the mission to look for any damage from micrometeoroids or space junk. Their careful look at Discovery's wings and nose cap did not turn up anything substantial. "We feel very confident that Discovery's in good shape to come home," said entry flight director Steve Stich on Sunday.In addition to testing post-Columbia fixes, the mission also fitted the ISS with new equipment and delivered a third member to the crew, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter.There was one small glitch in the pre-landing check out. One of three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) in Discovery's rear compartment had a small leak - about six drops per hour. The APUs power the hydraulic pump, which controls some of the systems needed for landing, such as the rudder/speed brake and the wing flaps.

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Plasma bubble could protect astronauts

A bubble of plasma could shield astronauts from radiation during long journeys through space, researchers are suggesting. If the idea proves viable, it means heavy metal protective panels could be replaced by a plasma shield of just a few grams.Astronauts travelling beyond the Earth's orbit would be at risk of cancer and other illnesses due to their long term exposure to cosmic rays. Some of these energetic particles are spewed forth during outbursts from the Sun. Others come from outside our solar system and are more mysterious in origin.The Earth's magnetic field protects spacecraft in low Earth orbits, such as the space shuttle and International Space Station. But astronauts journeying to Mars would benefit from no such protection. Thick metal shielding could absorb the rays, but the extra weight that would need to be launched into space might make this an impractical approach."There's no really sensible solution in terms of materials," says John Slough of the University of Washington, in Seattle, US, who is leading a study of the plasma shield idea. "It's an Achilles heel of manned space travel."Slough says the problem could be solved with just a few grams of hydrogen in the form of a plasma surrounding the spacecraft. NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) recently awarded Slough's team $75,000 to explore the feasibility of the idea.

The details still need to be worked out, but the basic approach is clear. A high voltage device on the spacecraft would tear the hydrogen into its constituent protons and electrons. This plasma would then be spewed out into space, creating a cloud around the spacecraft. There would need to be a wire mesh outside the spacecraft and enclosing the plasma cloud. Electricity supplied to the mesh would keep an electrical current running in the plasma cloud and help confined it near the spacecraft.The plasma's magnetic field would be a powerful deflector of cosmic rays, equivalent to aluminium shielding several inches thick, Slough says.

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