No. 272 September 2005
NEW PLANET Pluto discovered in 1930, was most distant planet until now. Seventy-five years later on July 29, 2005 NASA announces the discovery of the tenth planet by the cooperative work of Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz. The new planet, not yet named is the farthest known object in our solar system and was found to be about 97 times further from the sun than the Earth. Or, three times the distance between Pluto and the Sun. The trio of scientists are “confident that this is the first object bigger than Pluto every found in the outer solar system.” This announcement is the result of the work of three scienctists who first photographed the planet with the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope on October 31, 2003. However it was not until January 5, 2003 that motion was detected and further study is needed to be estimate its size and motions. However, because the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope has not yet detected this new planet, it must be less than 2,000 miles in diameter. The name for the new planet is has been proposed and has yet to be decided and announced. NASA-Funded Scientists Discover Tenth Planet is the July 29, 2005 Press Release (No. 2005-126) http://www.nasa.gov/centers/jpl/news/newplanet-072905.html which provides this news and links to more information and images at http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/newplanet-072905-images.html . This discovery makes every current diagram of the Sun and Planets outdated.
ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINTS DETECTION Whenever any obvious fingerprints, or what appear to be fingerprints are discovered at a crime scene, the fingerprint experts may use a dusting powder to enhance their visibility and preservation. The thin layer of dust which adheres to pattern of lines of fingerprints makes the fingerprint visible. Then, the difficult job of looking for fingerpints in the less obvious and the hard to see locations. The 21th century has begun with the invention of an electronic finger print detector. Developed and licensed by the Department of Energy’s Westinghouse Savannah River Company, the BritePrint Device is a light emitting device made up of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). When bushed with a special dye, the obvious and hard to find fingerprints are readily visible with light-filtering goggles. This LED device, with the special goggles, is light, very portable, easy to operate, is effective. The device is shown in the WSRC Tech Brief Fingerprint detection and analysis made easy (http://www.srs.gov/general/busiops/tech-transfer/techbrif/TB0008%20BritePrint.pdf) . Now available to many law enforcements and private investigation agencies, BritePrint Device can also perform on-site fingerprint identification and analysis. It can also preserve crime scene evidence when linked to a a video recorder. the BritePrint Device. “National and Homeland Security, Innovative Fingerprint Detection Device Patented” Savannah River National Laboratory News, V. 1, No. 2, Second Quarter, 2005, page 4
(http://www.srs.gov/general/scitech/srtc/srtchtm/newsjun5.pdf )
COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS ARE EXPENSIVE In July, 2005 the U. S. General Accountability Office (GAO) released a study requested by Congress about the cost of college textbooks. The study centered upon (1) what has been the change in textbook prices, (2) what factors have contributed to changes in textbook prices, and (3) what factors explain why a given U.S. textbook may retail outside the United States for a different price. This GAO report reads like an expose revealing why textbook publishers might never be seen as well wishers for the average college student. From December 1986 to December 2004, the annul inflation rate was 3 percent, and the cost of textbooks rose 6 percent each year. This is why the cost of books increased 186 percent during this time. In the 2003/2004 academic year college students paid about $850 for their textbooks. The price of a textbook is based on the current competition, the market conditions, and the willingness and ability of t he students to buy the textbook. In the international market, a textbook sold in foreign countries will be cheaper than it is in the United States and publishers are taking steps to limit large-scale textbook reimportation. Many of the new textbooks have accompanying CD-ROMS and other instructional supplements which are another reason for the increase in costs. College Textbooks, Enhanced Offerings Appear to Drive Recent Price Increases, (July, 2005, (GAO Report) GAO-05-806 was researched and compiled by the GAO Staff at Congressional request and is well worth reading. This 46 page report is very cheap. First printed copy is free, each thereafter is $2.00, and multiple copies can be purchased at a discount. However, at http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-806 a pdf copy is also free.
PLANTS GENES STUDIES There are currently studies of plants that decontaminate toxic soils or extract metals from soils by a process called “phytomining.” These plants absorb the metals into their cells and affect the structure and appearance of the genes. When the plants absorb toxic and contaminate metals, these metals mark the affected genes and enable a botantist to identify the genes and genetic structure of the plant. . “Currently the study of genes expression in plants must fix and dehydrate the plant tissue, embed it in plastic or resin, and then slice it into thin sections.” These sections are then attached to a slide and marked with a probe that binds to a fluorescent agent or labeled antibody to the nRNA for a specific gene.” The study of the metal absorbing plants has enabled the plant geneticists to develop a new study technique making use of a laser scanning confocal microscope. The new procedure involves the study of plants with a messenger RNA (mRNA) is tagged with a fluorescent compound. The plant is then studied with a confocal laser microscope which does not require the time consuming technique of plant tissue sectioning which was previously necessary for the microscopic examination of the plants cell and gene structure. This new technique for plant genes studies will be less labor intensive, require less microscopy training, and allow the geneticist to determine the cellular location of expression of their favorite gene(s) and study the gene’s role in the plant function and performance. “Getting Plant Genes to Glow, New Technique emerges from metal absorption studies” by Luis Pons, Agricultural Research, v. 53, No. 1, January 2005, pages 20-21 http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/jan05/plant0105.pdf (A 77.12: 53/1) ,
NATIVE AMERICAN BIRDS As is popularly known, the American Indian (Continental United States, Canada, and Alaska) is the only race of people who are Native Americans. How about Native American birds? The question and answer about Native American Bird Species are results of the Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act of 2004 (MBTRA). To quote the Federal Register Notice: “the MBTRA amends the MBTA by stating that it applies only to migratory bird species that are native to the United States or its territories, and that a native migratory bird is one that is present as a result of natural biological or ecological processes.” (“Fish and Wildlife Service, Final List of Bird Species to Which the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Does Not Apply, Notices,” Federal Register, V. 70, No. 49, March 15, 11005, pages 12710-12716) What are the native American migratory bird species of the United States and its Territories? What are the Bird Species of Non-Native Origin introduced into the United States and its Territories by humans? The Final List of Bird Species to Which the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Does Not Apply, which is a list of America’s non-native birds was compiled by the Fish and Wildlife Service with the input of the American public. There is a March 15, 2005 Press Release, (http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=A76B7418-1143-3066-40D6E7B7699AAB48 ), the Official Federal Register Notice (http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/nonnative/Final%20NonNative%20Species%20List.pdf ), and an Final List page of additional information (http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/nonnative/MBTADoesNotApplyDocs.htm) which present and explain the history and development of the Final List. Now you can learn about our Native American Migratory Birds.
ECONOMICS OF EMINENT DOMAIN The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution prohibits the taking of private property for public use without just compensation. Eminent Domain is exercised by government agencies, companies, and corporations. America’s Interstate Highway System was built in the 1950’s and 1960’s, General Motors Corporation in 1981 utilized eminent domain for development purposes. Recently in the Supreme Court’s Decision KELO v. NEW LONDON eminent domain has resulted in the loss of private property for the creation of needed highways or for some corporation benefits. Eminent domain has been used by cities and businesses for many years with both good and bad consequences the public and the private property owners. However, the 2005 Supreme Court Decision, and its possible consequences have caused some economists to worry. “The Economics of Eminent Domain” by Doug Campbell, Region Focus, Fall, 2005 pages 25-29 http://www.richmondfed.org/publications/economic_research/region_focus/fall_2005/feature3.cfm includes related information about the use of eminent domain before the Kelo decision, a link to the Kelo Decision, and to statistics on pending eminent domain lawsuits in several States.
FOOD ALLERGIES Have an allergy? From what? “Congress designated eight foods or food groups as "major food allergens." These foods or food groups account for 90 percent of all food allergies. Although there are other foods to which sensitive individuals may react, the labels of packaged foods containing these other allergens are not required to be in compliance with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). Under FALCPA, a "major food allergen" is an ingredient that is one of the following five foods or from one of the following three food groups or is an ingredient that contains protein derived from one of the following: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, or soybeans. Any prepared food which can be purchased in stores can contain ingredients from one or more of the major food allergens. As of January 1, 2006, all commercial food products which contain allergens must have allergen information on their labels. The FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition produced a Guidance for Industry document to inform and assist the public and industry in meeting the requirements of the FDA statutes and Regulations in regard to Food Allergens. Guidance for Industry, Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Edition 2), Final Guidance is found full text on the FDA website and includes an address to request paper copies (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/alrguid2.html). This site is a good beginning to learn more about the foods that can cause allergic reactions and how you can avoid encountering a food allergen by reading the food labels.
FOOD QUALITY STANDARDS People with one or more food allergies have to avoid certain foods, but most everyone is concerned with what they are eating when they eat any food. How much lead has been introduced into the foods we eat through food packaging? What is the natural quantity of trans fats in foods? What is the amount of trans fat introduced into the “processed foods” provided by the fast food industry? What are the natural toxins in foods? How are they identified and controlled? What are the acceptable levels for various kinds of contaminants found in foods and feeds? What are additives? What are acceptable? What do you know about food supplements? How about the use of recyled plastic food packaging? Do you know about the Redbook and its use for the safety levels of food additives? The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has a list of 20 Food and Cosmetic Guidance Documents which includes topics such as seafood, infant formula, natural toxins, and dietary supplements. On the Food and Cosmetic Guidance Documents webpage (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/guidance.html#add) which would be 17 printed pages of information and links to links to all the FDA and other Agencies publications which relate to Food Quality Standards.
ECONOMIC STUDIES OF SMOKING BANS When smoking was banned first banned in public places, one of the first questions was about the economic impact of no smoking on establishments. As of May 11, 2005, Michael R. Pakko, Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has determined that there are many studies of the economic impact of government ordinances to ban smoking in many locations. Yet, many of the circa 40 references citing almost as many studies, tend to overlook “the importance of distribution.” All the studies were found to center their evaluation on the local monetary issues and problems. Most of the studies lacked coverage of what Pakko termed “distributional effects.” The prevalence ordnances with exemptions for many establishments limited the applicability of the studies results to cities which had more comprehensive bans with few or no exemptions. Pakko considers one 2003 survey “very comprehensive,” cites six others as “prominent,” but still states that “no statistically significant impact on overall business in a community can be ascertained.” In Part 1, he explains how he reached this conclusion, and in Part II he analyzes one of the “Maryville, Missouri Case Study.” Pakko’s goal in this analysis is to provide information and food for discussion about the content of future economic studies of smoking bans. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ CRE8 Occasional Report, No. 2005-02 On the Economic Impact of Smoking Bans, by Michael R. Pakko, (May 11, 2005) is found as a PDF file (http://research.stlouisfed.org/regecon/op/CRE8OP-2005-002.pdf ) at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank Economic Research http://research.stlouisfed.org/ website.
March 30, 2006
http://www.nku.edu/~yannarella/news0509.html