Archive for June, 2008


Vitamins A, C and E are ‘a waste of time and may even shorten your life’

Vitamins taken by around a third of the population do not extend life and may even cause premature death, according to a respected group of international scientists.

Read the rest at Daily Mail

Female flies lose their heads to sing like a male

Female fruit flies have a hidden talent: the ability to sing like a male. All you have to do is switch on one gene – and chop off their heads.

Read the rest at New Scientist

Air pollution linked to dangerous blood clots

Emissions from traffic and factories can trigger the formation of dangerous blood clots, according to researchers. It’s the latest entry in a growing list of problems that have been linked to air pollution, from heart attacks to delays in children’s learning.

Read the rest at New Scientist

Psychics see big trouble over new laws

Fortune-tellers, mediums and spiritual healers marched on Downing Street on Friday to protest against new laws they fear will lead to them being “persecuted and prosecuted

Read the rest at Reuters

Solar-powered bra ‘able to charge an iPod’

A Japanese lingerie firm today unveiled the perfect gadget for eco-friendly sun worshippers – the solar-powered bra.

Read the rest at the Daily Telegraph

US outlaws genetic discrimination

“It’s the first civil rights bill of the new century of life sciences,” said veteran Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts last week, after the US Senate finally passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

Read the rest at New Scientist

Dope without the high

It’s a stoner’s worst nightmare: pot without the high. But a drug that offers the pain-killing and appetite boost associated with marijuana without the forgetfulness, giggles and general dopiness might appeal to cancer patients and others who would otherwise turn to medical marijuana.

Read the rest at New Scientist

Scientists find monkeys who know how to fish

Long-tailed macaque monkeys have a reputation for knowing how to find food — whether it be grabbing fruit from jungle trees or snatching a banana from a startled tourist.

Now, researchers say they have discovered groups of the silver-haired monkeys in Indonesia that fish. View full article »

Niteshift: June 3, 2008

Mike Sargent is joined this week by Lia Petridis and the Italian Animal, Joe Maucieri. Mike reviews “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan” and gets mocked for not returning calls and wearing an old shirt. View full article »

Niteshift: May 27, 2008