Branson Opens Spaceport America

Our favorite  billionaire, Richard Branson has opened the world’s first commercial spaceport in the New Mexico desert, the new home for his company Virgin Galactic

Branson inaugurated the building by breaking a champagne bottle against the building, while rappelling down the side of it, hung 20 meters above the ground from the main terminal roof. Described by it’s builder as, the next chapter in space transportation. “Forward-thinking pioneers are developing both vertical and horizontal launch vehicles using the power of free-market enterprise.  As the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, Spaceport America is designed with the needs of the commercial space business in mind. Unique geographic benefits, striking iconic design, and the tradition of New Mexico space leadership are coming together to create a new way to travel into space. When it comes to outer space, New Mexico is bringing it down to earth!” Read the full article »»»»

UVA Radiation Causes DNA Damage in Skin?

There is new evidence that the sun’s UV rays are even more damaging than previously thought.

The sun emits two kinds of UV rays to the earth’s surface: UVA and UVB. It had been thought that those rays do not damage the deeper layers of the skin as much as they damage the top layers. New research from Kings College London has found that is the case for UVB rays, but not for UVA rays. The study has found UVA rays are more carcinogenic than previously realised – a finding scientists say underscores how important it is to limit exposure to the sun and to tanning studios. The study was led by Antony Young, Professor of experimental photobiology at King’s College. Read the full article »»»»

HPV: Throat Cancer Linked to Cunnilingus and Fellatio

Human Papillomavirus - HPV – has been all over the medical journals and alerts of late. In the U.S. theres an epidemic going on right now, raising concerns about, well, oral sex and throat cancer. First hypothesized in 2005, a research study at the College of Malmö in Sweden suggested that performing unprotected oral sex on a person infected with HPV might increase the risk of oral cancer. The study found that 36 percent of the cancer patients had HPV compared to only 1 percent of the healthy control group :: Read the full article »»»»

Humans: Just Fish Out of Water

A study into the muscle development of several different fish has given insights into the genetic leap that set the scene for the evolution of hind legs in terrestrial animals. This innovation gave rise to the tetrapods — four-legged creatures, and our distant ancestors – that made the first small steps on land some 400 million years ago.

The team of Australian researchers led by Professor Peter Currie, of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University, and Dr Nicolas Cole, of the University of Sydney, reports that Humans are just modified fish.

“The genome of fish is not vastly different from our own. We have shown that the mechanism of pelvic muscle formation in bony fish is transitional between that in sharks and in our tetrapod ancestors.” said Professor Currie.

Scientists have long known that ancient lungfish species are the ancestors of the tetrapods. These fish could survive on land, breathing air and using their pelvic fins to propel themselves. Australia is home to three species of the few remaining lungfish — two marine species and one inhabiting Queensland’s Mary River basin. Read the full article »»»»

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Lieberman’s Barefoot Runnings

A softer ride for barefoot runners

Theres nothing like a barefoot run in the park, grass between your toes and an exfoliation socks can only dream of. So why don’t we do it more often? fear of foot damage, germs and an all round sheltered life!? Then of course theres the age old question, Heel Strike or Ball First?

It turns out that barefoot endurance runners may have a more cushioned ride than most people who run in shoes, according to a biomechanical analysis. Barefoot long-distance running has been a small but growing trend in the athletics community, driven in part by popular books and articles that maintain that runners might get fewer injuries if they ran the way humans evolved to run,  without supportive, cushioned running shoes. But although the idea is seductive, with running shoe companies recently marketing ‘minimal’ footwear, there has until now been little evidence to support the claims. Read the full article »»»»

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