Alpha Carotene in Vegetables for Longer Life

A large U.S. study has found that adults with higher concentrations of serum alpha-carotene in their blood were likely to live longer than those who had lower levels.

Interestingly, women tended to have slightly higher concentrations of the nutrient than men.

The team found an especially strong correlation between higher alpha-carotene levels and lower risk of death from diabetes, upper respiratory tract and upper digestive tract cancers, as well as lower respiratory disease.

The researchers cautioned that the levels of alpha-carotene, rather than having a direct affect on disease prevention themselves might instead "act as an indicator of multiple interactive forces."

"These findings support increasing fruit and vegetable consumption as a means of preventing premature death," the researchers noted.
See more at http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=alpha-carotene-from-veggies-linked-2010-12-30

Time for Christmas

Here is a wonderful seasonal take on time by Steven Appleby, a regular in The Guardian UK newspaper on Saturdays (this one appearing on 12th December 2010). Enjoy.

Quantum Time Travel (By Post)

A Letter in New Scientist, 4 December 2010:
This letter is a test of quantum time travel. I, in your past, am sending you, in my future, a message. When you print this, in my future, you will, by post selection, be sending me, in your past, a message telling me what to type when I have finished my cup of coffee. PS: It works.
(Andy Biddulph, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, UK)

World in a Hundred Objects Timepieces

The BBC's History of the World in 100 Objects included few mechanical devices but the need to measure time has meant that two did just that. They were Object 62, a Hebrew astrolabe, and Object 91, the ship's chronometer from HMS Beagle.

Solar System a Little Bit Older

Analysis of isotope decay in a 2004 meteorite has suggested that the solar system may be a million years or so older (give or take rather a lot) than previously thought according to research at Arizona State University. See 'Solar system slips back in time', New Scientist, 28 August 2010, p16.

Big Ben Facelift

Three men have abseiled down the tower that houses Big Ben to repair any damage to the clock faces. The trio descend each of the four sides of the clock face at a height of around 315ft (96m).
Each clock face is 23 ft (7m) in diameter, while there are a total of 312 pieces of opal glass.
Two height safety specialists abseiled on the clock faces initially. Then specialist heritage glazer Tony McGilbert abseiled to evaluate the repairs to the fragile glass fascia panels within the clock faces.
The men wore ear defenders as the clock continued to strike as they carried out the work, which was expected to last all day and their equipment was attached to them to ensure it cannot fall onto the ground below.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10950547 for more.

ACES - The Most Accurate Clock in Space

A clock ensemble, ACES (Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space), is to fly to the International Space Station in 2014. This caesium clock, because it will be affected only by microgravity, will be 100 times the accuracy of GPS clocks and will be a common reference point for ground based atomic clocks which could reveal if a physical 'constant' called alpha is not constant after all. (See 'Space station to host super-clock', New Scientist, 31 July 2010, p5)