The BA Science News Digest - 27 January 2006
It’s not everyday you see a whale swimming up the Thames, so little surprise then that at the end of last week, the sight of a northern bottlenose whale in the river by the House of Commons caused so much interest (even making onto the front of the Washington Post).
Despite the attempts of rescuers to take the whale back out to sea, it sadly died whilst being transported. As New Scientist reports, an autopsy on the whale has revealed that the whale died after getting lost and suffering dehydration and kidney problems.
The final resting place for the whale is to be the Natural History Museum, London, which will be added to museum's research collection.
The Natural History Museum will be hosting a special 'In the Headlines' event on 28 January with Mark Stevens, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Association, a central figure in the rescue attempt. The association caused headlines after the failed rescue attempt by auctioning the watering can used to keep the whale hydrated on its unsuccessful trip back to sea on internet site eBay. The organisation had been left with a hefty parking fine after its rescue attempt on Saturday, according to the Daily Telegraph.
This week much of the UK was facing bitterly cold conditions (though not on a scale that Moscow saw, where temperatures hit -30C). But the freezing temperatures are good for lawns and pastures, leading to a better crop of summer grass, as the Daily Telegraph also reported this week.
As you wrapped up and cranked up the heating, you may have missed the news that last year was the warmest since records began more than a century ago, according to NASA. Researchers have calculated that 2005 saw the highest annual average surface temperature worldwide since the late 1800s, reports the Scotsman.
In the battle to help combat climate change, the Government has a new target in its sight, as What Car? reports. Van drivers are being given the chance to take free advanced driving lessons, in a bid to lessen emissions and make their driving safer.
Yes, we could clearly soon be seeing green van man.
BBC’s Horizon programme this week focused on the rise of the Intelligent Design movement in the US, which is pushing for ID to be taught in science lessons as an alternative to evolution. Despite being widely dismissed by scientists, including Sir David Attenborough, it seems that ID may be growing in support in the UK, too. According to a poll carried out by the BBC, 40% of those questioned believe that creationism or intelligent design should be taught in school science lessons.
As the Guardian reported, Attenborough is strongly opposed to this. "That is not a scientific statement," he said. "If you inject that into science classes you are denying the very intellectual processes that you are supposed to be teaching as part of science."
In other news this week...
A doctor who has admitted helping terminally ill patients visit Switzerland to commit suicide said that he was being investigated by police. Dr Michael Irwin, 74, who was struck off the medical register last year for obtaining drugs to help a friend die on the Isle of Man, said that it was an issue over which he was willing to face. (The Times)
The internet has played an important role in the life decisions of 60 million Americans, research shows. Whether it be career advice, helping people through an illness or finding a new house, 45% of Americans turn to the web for help, a survey has found. (BBC News Online)
And finally... Did you celebrate Burns’ Night on Wednesday by tucking into a haggis, which Robert Burns called the "great chieftain o' the puddin-race"? Whilst Burns may have lauded the delicacy, not everyone is so happy. As The Herald reports, under the latest drive to improve the health of Scotland's children, officials have placed the celebrated delicacy on a restricted list of foods beside chicken nuggets, burgers and hot dogs.
Maybe you'd have been better spending Burns’ Night with the Gay Gordons.
Please note that the BA cannot accept responsibility for content of external sites. Also note that some news stories become available to subscribers only after 7 days.
To receive a weekly Science News Digest alert, register here.
Despite the attempts of rescuers to take the whale back out to sea, it sadly died whilst being transported. As New Scientist reports, an autopsy on the whale has revealed that the whale died after getting lost and suffering dehydration and kidney problems.
The final resting place for the whale is to be the Natural History Museum, London, which will be added to museum's research collection.
The Natural History Museum will be hosting a special 'In the Headlines' event on 28 January with Mark Stevens, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Association, a central figure in the rescue attempt. The association caused headlines after the failed rescue attempt by auctioning the watering can used to keep the whale hydrated on its unsuccessful trip back to sea on internet site eBay. The organisation had been left with a hefty parking fine after its rescue attempt on Saturday, according to the Daily Telegraph.
This week much of the UK was facing bitterly cold conditions (though not on a scale that Moscow saw, where temperatures hit -30C). But the freezing temperatures are good for lawns and pastures, leading to a better crop of summer grass, as the Daily Telegraph also reported this week.
As you wrapped up and cranked up the heating, you may have missed the news that last year was the warmest since records began more than a century ago, according to NASA. Researchers have calculated that 2005 saw the highest annual average surface temperature worldwide since the late 1800s, reports the Scotsman.
In the battle to help combat climate change, the Government has a new target in its sight, as What Car? reports. Van drivers are being given the chance to take free advanced driving lessons, in a bid to lessen emissions and make their driving safer.
Yes, we could clearly soon be seeing green van man.
BBC’s Horizon programme this week focused on the rise of the Intelligent Design movement in the US, which is pushing for ID to be taught in science lessons as an alternative to evolution. Despite being widely dismissed by scientists, including Sir David Attenborough, it seems that ID may be growing in support in the UK, too. According to a poll carried out by the BBC, 40% of those questioned believe that creationism or intelligent design should be taught in school science lessons.
As the Guardian reported, Attenborough is strongly opposed to this. "That is not a scientific statement," he said. "If you inject that into science classes you are denying the very intellectual processes that you are supposed to be teaching as part of science."
In other news this week...
A doctor who has admitted helping terminally ill patients visit Switzerland to commit suicide said that he was being investigated by police. Dr Michael Irwin, 74, who was struck off the medical register last year for obtaining drugs to help a friend die on the Isle of Man, said that it was an issue over which he was willing to face. (The Times)
The internet has played an important role in the life decisions of 60 million Americans, research shows. Whether it be career advice, helping people through an illness or finding a new house, 45% of Americans turn to the web for help, a survey has found. (BBC News Online)
And finally... Did you celebrate Burns’ Night on Wednesday by tucking into a haggis, which Robert Burns called the "great chieftain o' the puddin-race"? Whilst Burns may have lauded the delicacy, not everyone is so happy. As The Herald reports, under the latest drive to improve the health of Scotland's children, officials have placed the celebrated delicacy on a restricted list of foods beside chicken nuggets, burgers and hot dogs.
Maybe you'd have been better spending Burns’ Night with the Gay Gordons.
Please note that the BA cannot accept responsibility for content of external sites. Also note that some news stories become available to subscribers only after 7 days.
To receive a weekly Science News Digest alert, register here.
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