Abortion, Nasal Spray, Cows with Names
A turnabout on abortion.
A new national survey finds weakening support for, and growing opposition to, abortion.
The Pew Research Center poll of more than 4,000 adults suggests that less than half of Americans now support legal abortion, with opponents of abortion growing in both strength and conviction.
The poll found support for legal abortion down sharply among Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Americans of all political persuasions since the Presidential election.
Pew researcher Greg Smith says supporters and opponents of legal abortion also have become more polarized, with about 40 percent of each now saying they don’t respect the opposite point of view.
We may be sniffing our way to a better memory.
A nasal spray has been developed by a team of German scientists who say a molecule from the body’s immune system (interleukin-6) when administered through the nose helps the brain retain emotional and procedural memories during REM sleep.
Details at www.sciencedaily.com.
Are these ideas ridiculous or really worth thinking about?
Scientists have developed a bra that turns into a gas mask.
There’s a separate team of researchers who have found that cows that have names produce more milk than cows that are anonymous.
Another researcher thinks you can make diamonds from tequila.
Those projects are among the winners of the “2009 Ig Nobel prizes.”
The aim of the awards is to honor achievements that “first make people laugh and then make them think”.
The peace prize went to a Swiss research team who determined whether it is better to be hit over the head with a full or empty bottle of beer.
The ceremony was organised by the magazine Annals of Improbable Research.
http://improbable.com/category/ig-nobel/
Could evolution ever switch gears?
Could we de-evolve and the proteins in our bodies return to the old shapes and jobs they had millions of years ago.
A team of scientists now declares the answer is no.
Dr. Joseph Thornton at the University of Oregon says new mutations make it practically impossible for evolution to reverse direction. He says the mutations burn the bridge that evolution just crossed,”
Details in current issue of the journal “Nature.”
The New York Daily News is reporting that Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams’ severed head was mistreated at an Arizona cryonics facility. That’s according to the new book “Frozen.”
It’s written by a former executive with the Arizona storage facility where Williams’ remains were sent.
Larry Johnson writes that in July 2002, shortly after Williams diied at age 83, technicians with no medical certification used crude equipment to decapitate Williams.
He also reports Williams’ severed head was then frozen, and even used for batting practice by a technician trying to dislodge it from a tuna fish can.
Happy Birthday! (Where’s the party?)
Wayne County Parks will be celebrating its 90th Birthday with a party October 10 and you’re invited.
1-3 p.m.
at Elizabeth Park in Trenton.
We will have a bike parade, moonwalks, trackless train rides, performances by the Candy Band and the Gratitude Steel Band and much more.
History & Halloween
Trick or treating isn’t just for October 31st anymore. Start early at “Hallowe’en at Greenfield Village,” (20900 Oakwood Blvd Dearborn.) October 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25. Eight hundred hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, 11 treat stations, costumed characters, loot bags provided. Dress up or come as you are. Tickets start at $12.75. Kids 2 and under get in free. 6:30-9pm Fri, & Sat. 6:30-8pm Sun. 313-982-6001. http://www.hfmgv.org.
Free College Class for Kids (& Adults)
How fast is evolution? Find out Saturday morning at the University of Michigan’s fun, free, easy-to-understand Saturday Morning Physics Classes. 10:30am-11:30am. For ages 10 and up. 170 & 182 Dennison Building in Ann Arbor. Refreshments served before class. Free and open to the public. 734-764-4437. http://www.lsa.umich.edu