NEW SCIENTIST PRESS RELEASE
Note: no press release next week because we're all going to be too busy
eating and drinking and opening our presents
EMBARGO: NOT FOR PUBLICATION BEFORE
2PM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1997
#1: Where's Rudolph? Scandinavians are facing an alarming prospect: Christmas without reindeer meat. A decline in lichen growth in northern Europe has forced reindeer farmers to reduce their herds, and because of concerns about disease, the European Union and Norway have banned traders from importing animals from Russia to make up the shortfall. Page 14.
#2: Bolt from the blue Planning restrictions around British airports don't fully take into account the danger of jets crashing on take-off or landing. The government now wants to change the shape of "public safety zones" at the end of airport runways, after studying research from the Civil Aviation Authority. Page 20.
#3: Too hot to handle Tiny radioactive particles may be ten times as likely to induce cancer as was previously thought, according to a controversial study conducted by scientists in Switzerland and Germany. Page 15.
#4: Viral magic Viruses engineered to wear an "overcoat" promise to turn ordinary plants into factories for important proteins such as anti-bodies, hormones and enzymes. Scientists at the Scottish Crop Research Institute near Dundee are producing the proteins attached to the viruses' own protein coats. The tests suggest that virus-infected plants could be used to clean up contaminated land. Page 5.
#5: Peace in the forest Even nature's fiercest rivals can sometimes live in harmony. Researchers have found a small corner of Scotland where red and grey squirrels, usually irreconcilable, are getting along splendidly. Page 11.
#6: Whisky galore Blended scotch whiskies will soon taste as rich as some single malts. With a pinch of salt and a large toaster, researchers in Scotland have learnt to tease more flavour from oak barrels so that the whisky can mature faster. Page 9.
#7: Gut feeling A bacterium that causes stomach ulcers and some forms of stomach cancer in humans might be controlled by an oral vaccine if research in mice translates to humans, say researchers in Italy. And unlike most vaccines which only prevent future infections, this one may even purge the bacterium from individuals who are already infected. Page 13.
#8: Wet outlook for mutant salamander A single genetic mutation turns land-loving salamanders into creatures that spend the whole of their life in water, says a team of researchers in California. Page 21.
#9: Drunk as a skunk A hangover cure may be available this Christmas. A small dose of the drug N- acetyl-cysteine (NAC) can clear the head in 20 minutes, say researchers looking at the link between alcohol consumption and hangovers. And the best news is hat NAC is already available in herbal medicine stores. Pages 46-49
#10: Stranger by the moment Up to third of couples in the US disagree on how frequently they've had sex in the past week. Pages 42-45
#11: Space attack After the success of the Mars Pathfinder mission and the Mattel Mars Action Pack that sold out in shops across the US, toy manufacturers are falling over themselves to find next year's top science toys. Pages 32-34
#12: Sleepy heads Which lucky creatures will manage to miss the nightmare of Christmas shopping, office parties and family festivities? Find out with New Scientist's guide to hibernation. Pages 36-39
#13: Knock knock who's there? How do you tell if an insect can fly? Put it on a hotplate and turn up the heat.This is not a bad joke but a real experiment dreamt up in the 1930s to find out whether deathwatch beetles can fly. Pages 52-54
ENDS -
December 16, 1997
Issue cover date: December 20/27, 1997
For fax copies of full stories contact Barbara Thurlow on 202-296-4443 or email [email protected]. In Europe, please contact Lucy Banwell, IPC Press Office Tel: (0171) 261 6415 or e-mail: [email protected]
New Scientist Planet Science provides Internet users with news, features, reviews and comment drawn weekly from the pages of New Scientist magazine, as well as extra material exclusive to the web site. The site can be found at http://www.newscientist.com
Have a beautiful holiday, love from all the staff at New Scientist XXX
RSS