In the News
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Fertility Treatments Linked to Birth Defects
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST
A new study of infants born using assisted reproductive technology found that they are two to four times more likely to be born with certain types of birth defects than babies conceived naturally. Researchers found that children conceived using assisted reproductive technology like in vitro fertilization are twice as likely to be born with a septal heart defect, a cardiac defect involving a hole in the heart. They were also found to have more than twice the risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate and four times the risk of two gastrointestinal defects. Even with the increased risk, however, these defects remain rare.
Glacial Lake Flooding Speeds Ice Movement
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST
Scientists have long known about the existence of subglacial lakes in Antarctica-more than 150 can be found there-but until recently, it was believed that these water bodies were stagnant. In fact, water levels in these lakes can change quite rapidly, and they periodically flood, shedding huge quantities of water. This flooding can actually lift glacial ice by several meters-a shift that is visible on satellite images measuring the height of the ice-and acts as a lubricant, easing the ice over the bedrock beneath and speeding the movement of glacial ice toward the sea.
Company Shutdown Leads to Less Spam
Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST
Despite getting only one response for every 12.5 million messages they send, spammers are able to turn a profit and remain undeterred. E-mail users have received a brief respite, however, after two US internet service providers disconnected the service of McColo Corp., a Web hosting service that may have been responsible for as much as 75% of spam sent worldwide. One anti-spam firm reported a 70% drop in junk mail levels since McColo was taken offline nearly a week ago, but spam levels will likely rebound quickly, as networks move from North America to areas with less scrutiny.
