New Analyses Bolster Central Tenets of Evolution Theory

When scientists announced last month they had determined the exact order of all 3 billion bits of genetic code that go into making a chimpanzee, it was no surprise that the sequence was more than 96 percent identical to the human genome. Charles Darwin had deduced more than a century ago that chimps were among humans' closest cousins.

But decoding chimpanzees' DNA allowed scientists to do more than just refine their estimates of how similar humans and chimps are. It let them put the very theory of evolution to some tough new tests.

If Darwin was right, for example, then scientists should be able to perform a neat trick. Using a mathematical formula that emerges from evolutionary theory, they should be able to predict the number of harmful mutations in chimpanzee DNA by knowing the number of mutations in a different species' DNA and the two animals' population sizes.

Read the full article.... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/25/AR2005092501177.html

Arctic ice 'disappearing quickly'

The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic has shrunk for a fourth consecutive year, according to new data released by US scientists. They say that this month sees the lowest extent of ice cover for more than a century. The Arctic climate varies naturally, but the researchers conclude that human-induced global warming is at least partially responsible. They warn the shrinkage could lead to even faster melting in coming years. "September 2005 will set a new record minimum in the amount of Arctic sea ice cover," said Mark Serreze, of the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Boulder, Colorado.

Read full article.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4290340.stm

Free Talk on Meditation in New York City

M Speaks on Meditation
Come  and meet M, a Yoga and Meditation master from India. He will be in New York City on Saturday 1st October 2005 at 6.30 pm at the Community Church of New York at 40 E 35 Street (between Park and Madison Avenues) in the Assembly Hall.

To find out more visit:  http://www.universalquest.com/m.html