News Post Week 4

Here it is, bit shorter than the last two weeks but then again I've already explained why.

- The Decline of Language

A professor of Linguistics has released a book about the birth and death of languages. It reveals that every year around 25 languages die out and this is most likely due to the effect of certain languages being commonly used. It also focuses on how some languages that would die out have been brought back from the brink by the efforts of individuals and governments.

Link: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427311.800-vive-la-difference-of-languages.html

- Augmented Reality to Increase Safety

An augmented reality system has been developed to allow people to see around corners and through walls. It is hoped that it can be applied to cars in the future allowing drivers to see around corners and therefore avoid accidents.

Link: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18036-augmented-reality-system-lets-you-see-through-walls.html

- Moon Tube

The first lava tube has been discovered on the surface of the moon and has given hope that it might be used as an area to build an outpost to allow for exploration.

Link: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18030-found-first-skylight-on-the-moon.html

- HIV Vaccine Caution

The results of the trial in Thailand for a HIV vaccine are in and after some analysis it appears that the results aren’t as amazing as they would appear, in fact the data is quite uninspiring as two of the analysis of data are not statistically significant with the final analysis, the only one to be released before publication, was only just statistically significant. One researcher says that the results could just be due to chance.

Link: http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091021/full/news.2009.1035.html

- Drug Counteracts the Effect of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation has been known to have a negative effect on memory however a drug has been made which can prevent this from occurring. It has been tested on mice recently but has proved to have some side effects. It is hoped that the drugs could become more targeted.

Link: http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091021/full/news.2009.1036.html

- Sneaky Spiders

Research has shown that males that sneak onto a female’s web and have sex with her after she has been courted by another male can avoid being eaten.

Link: http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091021/full/news.2009.1020.html

- Colourless Coral Causes Calamity

Due to the increasing temperature and acidity of the sea coral is being bleached. Not only can bleaching of coral lead to death but also it means that more colourful fish will loose their camouflage leading to more predation.

Link: http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091021/full/news.2009.1023.html

- Morrissey Collapses

Former Smiths frontman has collapsed onstage and was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8324492.stm

- Guardian Website Hacked

The Guardian jobs website has been hacked but it has been announced that the site is now secure. Anyone involved has been contacted.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8324630.stm

- BNP Gets Further Rejection

After the news in the week that the queen is urging other royals to reject the BNP the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury Lord Carey is urging Christians to stand together to reject them also. This comes after Griffin, the BNP leader, has said he represents Christian Britain.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8324455.stm

- Sydney Picnic

Harbour Bridge, one of Sydney’s architectural icons was closed so that it may be carpeted with grass to allow for a day of picnics as part of a month long food festival.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8324527.stm

- Drink-Drive Chair to be Auctioned

A customised lounge chair will be auctioned off by police in Minnesota as the owner (a 62 year old) had crashed it whilst drunk. As you could probably guess the customisation is that it can be driven!

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8323997.stm

- Football Team Killed

The bodies of a kidnapped Columbian football team have thought to have been found. All 10 suffered gunshot wounds. At the moment authorities are still trying to identify the people as the members of the football team but some local newspapers have been stating it as fact.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8324496.stm

- Lloyd Webber has Cancer

The famous composer has been diagnosed with prostate cancer but his spokesman states that it’s in the early stages and he is currently undergoing treatment.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8324689.stm

- Irish Sports Star Comes Out

Donal Og Cusack is a goalkeeper for the Cork hurling team and has recently announced that he’s gay. Being from a conservative country, with a conservative family and being well known in a masculine sport must have made it difficult but well done to him!

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8324347.stm