Free Republic

Could dandruff be altering the world’s climate? Along with fur, algae, pollen, fungi, bacteria, viruses and various other “bio-aerosols” wafting around in the atmosphere, it may well be. A global study has found that tiny fragments of biological detritus are a major component of the atmosphere, controlling the weather and forming a previously hidden microbial metropolis in the skies. Besides their climatic influence, they may even be spreading diseases across the globe. Scientists have known for some time that aerosols of soot, dust and ash can influence climate by reflecting or absorbing the Sun’s rays and by providing the condensation...

A researcher has discovered unexpectedly large amounts of dandruff and other flaking skin, fur, pollen and similar materials in air pollutants known as aerosols. Aerosols, tiny particles in the air, are widely studied because they are an important factor in regulating climate, variously absorbing heat to warm the air and reflecting sunlight to cool it. They are also important in forming rain and snow. But the amount of cellular material — bacteria, plant fragments, spores, fungi and so forth — had been thought to be only a small proportion compared with mineral dusts, clay and sea salt. Now, Ruprecht Jaenicke...

US Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who had hoped to replace George W. Bush as president yesterday, instead sat in the cold and clapped as the Republican began a second four-year term. Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin patted Senator Kerry on the back shortly before the inauguration Senator Kerry had hoped would be his. As Mr Bush delivered his inaugural address, Senator Kerry, about 10m away on the steps of the US Capitol, joined other lawmakers and the crowd in repeated applause. Senator Kerry looked relaxed, at times wistful. He frequently smiled, able to hide any disappointment over what...

  Trial ... Judge Murphy put Pearson in jail   'Druff justice for gunman By ALASTAIR TAYLOR AN ARMED robber trapped by his dandruff 11 YEARS after the raid was jailed yesterday. Scientists used DNA profiling to link gunman Andrew Pearson to the crime. Yesterday the gunman was jailed for 15 years for the robbery and having a firearm. Pearson, 40, and two other masked men stormed the Atlas caravan site, where he had once worked in July 1993, Hull Crown Court was told.  Two of the robbers were armed with guns and one had a baseball bat. They...

Cameras roll on final Star WarsBy MICHAEL OWEN-BROWN 30jun03THE republic is crumbling, the forces of evil are massing and a legion of science-fiction fans are quivering in anticipation. The last chapter of Star Wars starts filming today at Sydney's Fox Studios. Almost 1000 crew will work on the $173 million production, which stars about about 60 Australian actors. Fans can watch parts of the filming on webcam. The film, due for release in 2005, will focus on young Jedi warrior Anakin Skywalker being seduced by the dark side of the Force on his way to becoming Darth Vader. Also, Senator...