suspect sciece

Oldest dinosaur burrow discovered

Matt Walker Editor, Earth News

A burrow photographed from above, showing a cross section, with the entrance on the right side and chamber on the left

The world's oldest dinosaur burrows have been discovered in Australia.

Three separate burrows have been found in all, the biggest 2m long, each built to a similar design and just big enough to hold the body of a small dinosaur.

The 106-million-year-old burrows, the first to be found outside of North America, would have been much closer to the South Pole when they were created.

That supports the idea that dinosaurs living in cold, harsh climates burrowed underground to survive.

The only other known dinosaur burrow was discovered in 2005 in Montana, US.

Described two years later, this burrow dated from 95 million years ago and contained the bones of an adult and two juveniles of a small new species of dinosaur called Oryctodromeus cubicularis.

It provides an alternative explanation for how small dinosaurs might have overwintered in polar environments Palaeontologist Anthony Martin

Now the older burrows have been found by one of the researchers who made the original Montana discovery.

"Like many discoveries in palaeontology, it happened by a combination of serendipity and previous knowledge," says Anthony Martin of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, US.

"In May 2006, I hiked into the field site with a group of graduate students with the intention of looking for dinosaur tracks. We did indeed find a few dinosaur tracks that day, but while there I also noted a few intriguing structures."

Martin returned to the site, a place dubbed Knowledge Creek that lies 240km from Melbourne, Victoria, to study these structures, once in July 2007 and again in May this year.

His first reaction was one of astonishment.

"I was scanning the outcrop for trace fossils, and was very surprised to see the same type of structure I had seen in Cretaceous rocks of Montana the previous year," says Martin.

That original structure turned out to be the burrow of O. cubicularis, which Martin described with colleagues David Varricchio from Montana State University, Bozeman, US, and Yoshi Katsura of Gifu Prefectural Museum in Seki City, Japan.

"So to walk up to the outcrop and see such a strikingly similar structure, in rocks only slightly older, but in another hemisphere, was rather eerie."

Twisting structures

Within the rock, which forms part of the so-called Otway group of rocks that have yielded a rich diversity of vertebrate fossils, Martin found three separate burrows less than 3m apart, which he describes in the journal Cretaceous Research.

Two of the burrows formed a semi-helix, twisting down into the rock that was once soil.

The largest and best preserved, dubbed tunnel A, turns twice before ending in a larger chamber. In total, it is more than 2.1m long.

Martin calculates that an animal around 10kg in size would have made each burrow.

Modern animals which create such burrows include aardwolves, alligators, coyotes, gopher tortoises and striped hyenas. Twisting burrows can help stop predators getting in and keep the temperature and humidity constant.

Martin can't be sure which species of dinosaur made the burrows, but he is struck by how similar their designs are to the burrow made by O. cubicularis.

A variety of small ornithopod dinosaurs were also known to have lived in the area during the same time in the Cretaceous. These ornithopods stood upright on their hind legs and were about the size of a large, modern-day iguana.

Surviving the cold

Martin has ruled out a variety of other factors that could have created the burrows.

The fact that they were made by dinosaurs makes sense, he says.

Twenty years ago, researchers in Australia, including Patricia Vickers-Rich of Monash University in Clayton and Thomas Rich of the Museum of Victoria, first proposed that some dinosaurs may have climbed into burrows to survive harsh climates they couldn't escape from by migrating.

"It gives us yet another example of how dinosaurs evolved certain adaptive behaviours in accordance with their ecosystems," Martin says.

"Polar dinosaurs in particular must have possessed special adaptations to deal with polar winters, and one of their behavioural options was burrowing. It provides an alternative explanation for how small dinosaurs might have overwintered in polar environments."

Martin now hopes that palaeontologists will be on the look out for a range of different types of dinosaur burrow, and for dinosaurs that are physically adapted to burrowing into soil

dr.parkinson

The origins of the shaking palsy

Michael J Fox of Back to the Future fame has Parkinson's Diseasehttp://www.richimag.co.uk/parkinsons/

Dr James Parkinson was better known in his time for his work on fossils than for his essay on "the shaking palsy".

But it was this that would make his name famous around the globe two centuries after he was born.

The multi-talented GP is the name behind Parkinson's disease, the progressive neurological disorder whose sufferers include Muhammad Ali and film star Michael J Fox.

It can affect all aspects of a person's life and occurs when cells in the part of the brain which controls movement are lost.

Shaking palsy

Born in London in 1755, Dr Parkinson studied Latin, Greek, natural philosophy and shorthand - subjects which he considered as important basic tools for a physician.

His father was a GP and he took over his practice.

Dr Parkinson was by no means a typical GP. He had wide-ranging interests and, in his day, was probably better known for his three volume work on fossils than for his essay on the "shaking palsy".

Other medical works included a treatise on gout and he also published books on social, political and geological subjects.

He was extremely interested in bringing medicine to the masses and published a selection of self-help manuals aimed at encouraging people to adopt better sanitary standards.

His political beliefs were fairly revolutionary.

At a time when the French revolution was taking place, he advocated universal suffrage and an annual parliament.

However, it is for his "Essay on the shaking palsy", published in 1817 - 11 years before his death, that he has become universally known.

Symptoms

He was the first person to make an accurate description of the disorder which affects one in 500 people in the UK.

Its symptoms include shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.

Despite Dr Parkinson's success in describing the condition, his work was only recognised by French neuropathologist Dr Jean Martin Charcot 60 years after it was first published.

And it was not until the second half of the 20th century that scientists discovered what caused the disease.

They found that the lack of a chemical messenger called dopamine was responsible.

The symptoms of Parkinson's only appear after the death of 80% of the cells which produce dopamine which is linked to co-ordination.

Currently, the condition is treated with drugs which mimic the action of the chemical messengers.

Patients also often turn to alternative therapies. For example, massage has been found to be very helpful in the treatment of the disease.

Liz Cockerill, who has Parkinson's, told Radio Four's A Name to Remember programme: "It has been a life saver for me. Otherwise my muscles would just seize up."

In the last few years, there have been significant advances in the treatment of late stage Parkinson's.

For example, dopamine can now be injected and pacemakers have been fitted into some patients' brains with interesting results.

Some doctors predict there could be a cure or a preventive treatment for the disease in the next 20 years once scientists understand its genetic and environmental triggers.

They believe "a window of opportunity" exists between the time the cells start dying and the time symptoms begin to show.

This week has been named Parkinson's Awareness Week by the Parkinson's Disease Society

Parkinson's linked to insecticide

Parkinson's linked to insecticide use

Parkinson's causes muscle tremor

Exposure to insecticides in the home may double a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease, say researchers.

Scientists suspect insecticide chemicals damage nerve cells in a vulnerable region of the brain, but cannot fully explain the link.

Certain chemicals that an individual is exposed to in the environment may cause selective death of brain cells

Dr Lorene Nelson, Stanford University

Dr Lorene Nelson and colleagues at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, questioned 496 people newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about their past use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in the home and garden.

Another group of 541 people without the disease were asked similar questions and the two sets of answers compared.

Use of insecticides at home was associated with the greatest risk of developing the disease. Parkinson's patients were more than twice as likely to have been exposed to the chemicals than the healthy participants.

There was also an association with herbicides. However, exposure to insecticides in the garden, and fungicides, were not found to be risk factors.

The findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in San Diego, California.

Association

Dr Nelson said: "It is the first study to show a significant association between home pesticide use and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

"Certain chemicals that an individual is exposed to in the environment may cause selective death of brain cells or neurons."

Damage to nerve cells in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia leads to the muscle tremor and stiffness characteristic of the disease.

Parkinson's is caused when brain cells that produce an important neurotransmitter, or message-carrying chemical, are destroyed.

Dr Nelson said. "If we could understand why these neurons are being killed in certain circumstances, we can then try and prevent it."

Professor Adrian Williams, chairman of the Parkinson Disease Society's medical advisory panel, said: "This is the latest in a line of research which shows a suspected but as yet unproven link between pesticide exposure and development of Parkinson's disease.

"We welcome any further research on this subject."

parkinsons who gets it

Jobs 'linked to Parkinson's'

Mechanics are one of the at risk groups http://www.richimag.co.uk/parkinsons/

People who work with solvents such as petrol or rubber have a high risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study.

They are also more likely to show symptoms of the disease early in life and risk developing a more severe form of the disease than those who do not work with solvents.

The study, carried out by researchers in Italy, suggests that the risks are greatest among people who work with hydrocarbon solvents.

These solvents are found in common petroleum-based products such as paints, glues and rubber.

As a result, the researchers suggest that painters, mechanics and printers are some of the most "at risk" jobs.

"Risky" jobs

Mechanics Printers Painters People working with petroleum, rubber or plastic

Others at risk of developing the disease are people working with petroleum, rubber and plastic.

Doctors at the Parkinson Institute in Milan studied almost 1,000 patients with the disease.

It found that people who had worked with hydrocarbon solvents were likely to develop symptoms of Parkinson's three years before somebody who did not.

They also revealed that the severity of the disease was greatest among those who worked in "at risk" jobs.

The study found that most of those who had been exposed to hydrocarbon were mostly male and less educated than those who were not exposed.

The doctors said their findings showed a need for further research.

Dr Gianni Pezzoli, of the Parkinson Institute, said the study raised serious questions.

Further study call

"These findings raise serious questions about specific occupational risk.

"This study more than merits further investigation into job-related Parkinson's risk factors."

Parkinson's disease is generally regarded as a brain disorder.

It is a progressive disease which attacks the part of the brain which controls movement.

Drugs are currently used to treat the disease but their success is limited and the side-effects can be significant.

There is no cure and treatments only last a few years.

The symptoms are caused by the loss of cells in a certain part of the brain that produce dopamine - an important message-carrying chemical or neurotransmitter linked with movement.

But no one has been able to find out why those cells get destroyed in the first place.

Around 120,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's disease

parkinsons cure

Hope of Parkinson's 'cure'

Parkiinson's causes shaking and muscle stiffness http://www.richimag.co.uk/parkinsons/index.html

Scientists have successfully reversed the spread of Parkinson's disease in monkeys.

The results have raised hopes that scientists could be close to stopping the disease in humans.

Researchers from the US and Switzerland used gene therapy techniques to reverse damage in the brains of monkeys caused by Parkinson's.

They used a special virus to boost nutrients in the brain. These nutrients increase the production of dopamine.

This study suggests a new approach to forestall disease progression in newly diagnosed patients

Dr Jeffrey Kordower

Dopamine sends signals in the brain to help individuals move smoothly and normally. The loss of dopamine has been linked to the symptoms of associated with Parkinson's.

Parkinson's is a brain disease and causes severe difficulty in performing movements including walking, talking, swallowing and smiling. This causes sufferers to shake and experience muscle stiffness.

Each person with Parkinson's is affected differently and to different degrees. Their ability to perform movements may vary from one day to the next.

Sufferers eventually die from secondary complications such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, pressure sores, septicaemia and stroke.

The condition is treated with drugs and there is no cure. It affects around 120,000 people in the UK.

It usually strikes people between the ages of 50 and 60 although it can also affect younger people.

Latest research

This latest research was carried out on two groups of monkeys. The first group involved eight older monkeys with early Parkinson's disease. The second included younger monkeys with no signs of the condition.

The first group received six injections of the special virus called lenti-GDNF to boost nutrients in their brain.

After three months the level of dopamine in their brains had dramatically increased and were similar to those found in younger monkeys.

The second group were injected with a chemical to cause Parkinson's disease. They developed the condition but this was reversed once they received lenti-GDNF.

Dr Jeffrey Kordower, from Rush Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Centre and one of those involved in the study, said: "By giving GDNF, we can stimulate dopamine production and prevent both the structural and functional consequences of cell degeneration that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease."

The scientist are hoping to use this special virus on humans in clinical trials within five years. The virus was developed by researchers at the Lausanne University in Switzerland.

Dr Kordower added: "This study suggests a new approach to forestall disease progression in newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease patients.

dardarin/parkinsons

Target found for Parkinson's test

A gene mutation which could be behind one in 25 cases of Parkinson's disease has been discovered by scientists. It is hoped the findings could lead to the earlier detection of the disease and the development of treatments. Three separate studies by US, UK and Dutch research teams are published in The Lancet medical journal. Parkinson's, for which there is no cure, is a degenerative disease in the part of the brain controlling movement and affects 3% of people over 75. 'Dardarin' protein Each of the three studies looked at genetic faults in the LRRK2 gene. It controls the action of a protein named dardarin by researchers, after the Basque word dardara, which means tremor. Scientists do not yet fully understand what the protein's intended function is. This could lead to new improved treatments and potentially a cure for some people with the condition Linda Kelly, Parkinson's Disease Society The mutation of the gene, found on a region of chromosome 12, is called PARK8. It was identified in a study of five families with a history of Parkinson's disease who lived in the Basque region of northern Spain, and in England The US study, by scientists from Indiana University and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, involved 767 Parkinson's disease patients from 358 families across America. It was found that 34, or just under 5%, of patients carried the same gene mutation. In an Institute of Neurology study, 482 people from families without a known history of Parkinson's were studied and eight were found to have the same mutation. In the third study, by researchers from Erasmus MC in the Netherlands, the mutation was present in four out of 61 families with a history of Parkinson's disease. From the results of all three studies the researchers concluded that the mutation appears to be responsible for up to 5% of Parkinson's in people with a family history of the disorder and up to 2% of cases in people who do not have a family history of the disease. 'New treatments' Andrew Singleton, of the National Institute of Aging's said: "Knowing that this mutation is not only important in familial forms of disease, but in typical sporadic disease, where there is no strong family history, could lead to earlier detection of Parkinson's disease. "Further study of how this gene works also might help scientists identify new treatments." Dr William Nichols, of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital suggested screening for the mutation would soon become a key part of genetic testing for Parkinson's. And Linda Kelly, the chief executive of the UK's Parkinson's Disease Society, said: "If further research could uncover why this leads to neurodegeneration and the symptoms of Parkinson's then this could lead to new improved treatments and potentially a cure for some people with the condition.

parkinsons

Depression risk with Parkinson'shttp://www.richimag.co.uk/parkinsons/

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative, neurological condition Over 80% of people with Parkinson's disease frequently experience depression, a European survey finds. But the poll of 500 patients with mild-to-moderate forms of the disease found 40% rarely - or never - talked to their doctors about depression. And two thirds of doctors polled said they considered other symptoms were more important than depression. But Parkinson's experts said depressive symptoms were as important as motor problems for people with the disease. In many cases, it's not the symptoms that one normally associates with Parkinson's disease that cause the most distress Mary Baker, European Parkinson's Disease Association Around one in 500 people in the UK have Parkinson's disease. Around 10,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, with one in 20 affected someone under 40. The most well-known symptom is tremors in the arms and legs. But depression can stem from people's feelings about their condition, or as another symptom caused by the neurological effects of the disease. This survey covered patients in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Normal outlook 'difficult' Researchers also spoke to 500 specialist doctors in the same countries. Virtually all said the majority of their patients "often" or "sometimes" experienced symptoms of depression. But 49% said such symptoms were difficult to recognise. Doctors said the main reason they did not discuss depression was that they felt that patients did not rate these symptoms as being as important as other aspects of their condition. But patients said depression was almost as significant for them as movement problems. Mary Baker, president of the European Parkinson's Disease Association, said: "This survey has confirmed what we've been hearing from people with PD, and the people who care for them, for some time. "In many cases, it's not the symptoms that one normally associates with Parkinson's disease that cause the most distress. "When your mood is affected, it can be very difficult to maintain a normal outlook on life." She added: "Those who are caring for people with PD often report that seeing their loved one feeling depressed is one the hardest aspects of the condition to deal with."

Flint criticised in 'sexism row'

An angry Caroline Flint waved goodbye to ministerial office on Friday

Labour MP Caroline Flint has been criticised for her attack on Gordon Brown's style of government and his treatment of female ministers.

Ms Flint resigned as Europe minister on Friday, claiming he operated a "two-tier" government via an "inner" circle.

Senior female figures were regarded as "little more than window dressing" by the prime minister, Ms Flint argued.

Fellow MP Geraldine Smith said Ms Flint would "regret" her comments, saying she should have thought twice about them.

'A bit of a strop'

In her resignation letter, Ms Flint said Mr Brown's government was not "inclusive" and suggested she had been ignored when she attended cabinet meetings.

"Several of the women attending cabinet - myself included - have been treated by you as little more than female window dressing." Ms Flint stated.

She should have counted to ten before she wrote that letter Geraldine Smith, Labour MP Storm far from over for Brown Brown focused on "tasks in hand"

Her comments have been questioned since less than 24 hours earlier, in the wake of former Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell's resignation from the cabinet, she had proclaimed her loyalty to Gordon Brown.

As a close friend of former communities secretary Hazel Blears, she had been widely expected to follow Ms Blears' example and resign as soon as polls closed for England's local elections on Thursday night.

But, instead, she insisted she was "proud" to serve Mr Brown and would stay in government.

Geraldine Smith said Ms Flint had been expecting a promotion in Friday's reshuffle and had been disappointed.

"She's been upset and she has had a bit of a strop," she told the BBC.

"She should have counted to ten before she wrote that letter. I think she will regret it."

'Progress needed'

Deputy Labour Leader and Minister for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman, also rejected Ms Flint's comments while acknowledging "progress" needed to be made in getting more women into senior positions in government.

She said it was untrue that Mr Brown "doesn't take women in politics seriously".

Several high-profile female ministers, including Ms Blears, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and housing minister Margaret Beckett, left government in Friday's reshuffle.

But Mr Brown insisted there was still a strong female representation in his cabinet, pointing to the promotion of Yvette Cooper to work and pensions secretary.

Ms Flint has been replaced by ex-MEP Glenys Kinnock, wife of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

feminists of labour

Labour women attack 'laddish' PM

Mr Brown appointed just four women to full cabinet posts

Senior female Labour MPs have hit out at Gordon Brown for a government style that they say excludes women.

Ex-Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt told BBC Radio 4 that there was a "laddish" culture inside No 10.

And Caroline Flint, who resigned saying Mr Brown treated women as "window dressing", said female ministers were "picked out" for hostile briefings.

But Business Minister Baroness Vadera said Mr Brown was committed to getting more female MPs into Parliament.

Former children's minister Beverley Hughes said she was "shocked" at the lack of women in cabinet.

Former minister Jane Kennedy said she agreed with suggestions that Mr Brown dealt with colleagues like a "mafia boss".

Ms Hughes also reignited speculation about a possible leadership contest by suggesting that Mr Brown had three or four months at most to improve Labour's standing in the polls.

'Overwhelmingly male'

Mr Brown has faced criticism for appointing only four women as full members of the cabinet.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Gordon's Women programme, several prominent female MPs criticised the lack of women in senior positions as well as the prime minister's style of conducting government business.

Ms Hewitt said she was "surprised as well as disappointed" by the lack of women in senior jobs.

She added that, with the exception of adviser Sue Nye and Baroness Vadera, "Gordon Brown's inner circle has always been small, almost entirely men and as far as I can see really rather laddish in its culture".

Ms Hewitt added that the prime minister "needs to get a move on" with fulfilling his pledge to the Parliamentary Labour Party to change his style of government.

I don't think he trusted me and we never got a chance to really get to develop our relationship Caroline Flint Former Europe minister

Ms Flint - whose "window dressing" remarks in her resignation letter as Europe minister threw the spotlight on Mr Brown's relationship with women - said the cabinet "power base" was "overwhelmingly male".

She said female ministers had been offered roles which merely entitled them to attend cabinet "to give an impression that women are there and are equal" when they were not.

"When Tony (Blair) left government I think a third of his cabinet were women and I'm talking a third of cabinet - proper cabinet," Ms Flint added.

She said of the present prime minister: "For one reason or another I don't think he trusted me and we never got a chance to really get to develop our relationship.

"I don't think he really knows me and what makes me tick."

Asked about Mr Brown, former Lords leader Lady Jay admitted that "personally I find him quite intimidating" because he "doesn't make it easy to feel that you've established a personal connection".

Ms Kennedy - who resigned saying she could not support Mr Brown - said the prime minister lacked "clarity and willingness to listen to what the voters are telling us about policy", describing this as a "a behavioural trait that you keep being promised is going to change and doesn't".

She added that, as a result, "I fear that with Gordon as leader we don't have much chance" of winning the next general election.

Asked by presenter Martha Kearney whether it was true that the prime minister acted like a "mafia boss" who "might not pull the trigger but he knows who's getting bumped off", Ms Kennedy replied: "Yes, that's how I would characterise it - that's my perception of it."

'Good enough'

However, some prominent Labour women defended the prime minister.

Discussing the number of women in front-line politics, Lady Vadera said that "Gordon worries about that - and that's why we work so hard to get women into parliament".

Angela Smith said the number of women ministers compared favourably with "any party's alternative government".

She added: "I have never, ever felt held back by the Labour party because I am a woman."

Pollster Deborah Mattinson said Mr Brown had made clear he did not know that hostile briefings had taken place and had put a stop to them, adding: "That's good enough for me."

swines

Concern over Ebola virus in pigs

Ebola can cause deadly disease in some forms

A form of Ebola virus has been detected in pigs for the first time, raising concerns it could mutate and pose a new risk to humans.

Ebola-Reston virus (REBOV) has only previously been seen in monkeys and humans - and has not caused illness.

But researchers are concerned that pigs might provide a melting pot where the virus could mutate into something more menacing for humans.

The new discovery - in the Philippines - is featured in the journal Science.

However, the researchers, from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress that the virus at present appears to pose no risk to humans.

It has been detected in farm workers who tend the infected pigs, and they have shown no signs of illness.

However, writing in Science, the researchers said: "REBOV infection in domestic swine raises concern about the potential for emerging disease in humans and a wider range of livestock.

"There is concern that its passage through swine may allow REBOV to diverge and shift its potential for pathogenicity."

REBOV belongs to the family of filoviruses which usually target primates.

Deadly bleeding

These viruses cause viral haemorrhagic fevers, which cause extensive internal bleeding, and can be fatal.

The latest study examined tissue samples taken from pigs from different parts of the Philippines suffering from unusually severe respiratory infections.

Analysis showed that the animals were infected with widely varying strains of the virus, suggesting it may have circulated widely in pigs even before it was first discovered in monkeys exported to the US from the Philippines in 1989.

The researchers said it was possible that REBOV originally emerged in another, as yet unidentified, host. Fruit-eating bats have been suggested as one possibility.

Pigs are known to provide an ideal host for viruses to mutate. Experts say the potential risk is magnified because they are an essential part of the human food chain, and come into close contact with people.

Researcher Dr Michael McIntosh said: "We know this family of viruses are associated with fatal illnesses in humans.

"Even though there is no evidence at this time to suggest REBOV causes diseases in humans it does seem that it can infect humans, and be transmitted from swine to humans.

"The effect of such an infection on an immuno-compromised host - humans or swine - is also an unknown factor of concern."

The World Health Organization says that pork is still safe to eat, provided it is prepared and cooked properly

labour badly wrong

EUROPEANS THINK ISLAM IS DANGEROUS

Lord Carey is among report’s authors

Sunday January 27,2008

By Jason Groves

Have your say(85)

AN “overwhelming majority” of Europeans believe immigration from Islamic countries is a threat to their traditional way of life, a survey revealed last night.

The poll, carried out across 21 countries, found “widespread anti-immigration sentiment”, but warned Europe’s Muslim population will treble in the next 17 years.

It reported “a severe deficit of trust is found between the Western and Muslim communities”, with most people wanting less interaction with the Muslim world.

Last night an MP warned it showed that political leaders in Britain who preach the benefits of unlimited immigration were dangerously out of touch with the public.

The study, whose authors include the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, was commissioned for leaders at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

It reports “a growing fear among Europeans of a perceived Islamic threat to their cultural identities, driven in part by immigration from predominantly Muslim nations”.

SEARCH UK NEWS for:

And it concludes: “An overwhelming majority of the surveyed populations in Europe believe greater interaction between Islam and the West is a threat.” Backbench Tory MP David Davies told the Sunday Express: “I am not surprised by these findings. People are fed up with multiculturalism and being told they have to give up their way of life.

“Most people in Britain expect anyone who comes here to be willing to learn our language and fit in with us.”

Mr Davies, who serves on the Commons Home Affairs Committee, added: “People do get annoyed when they see millions spent on translating documents and legal aid being given to people fighting for the right to wear a head-to-toe covering at school.

“A lot of people are very uncomfortable with the changes being caused by immigration and politicians have been too slow to wake up to that.”

The report says people have little enthusiasm for greater understanding with Islam and attempts to improve relations have been “disappointing”.

And with the EU Muslim population expected to reach 15 per cent by 2025 it predicts: “Any deterioration on the international front will be felt most severely in Europe.”

But leading Muslim academic Haleh Afshar, of York University, blamed media “hysteria” for the findings. She said: “There is an absence of trust towards Muslims, but to my mind that is very much driven by an uninformed media.

“To blame immigration is much harder because the current influx of immigrants from eastern Europe are by-and-large not Muslim.

The danger is that when people are fearful of people born and bred in this country it is likely that discrimination may follow.”

EUROPEANS THINK ISLAM IS DANGEROUS

14.03.09, 12:31pm

I agree a million percent if there was such a figure . How right up to the hilt are those already writing their comments and this morning in the Sunday Express on page 5 we have members of the WRAF being told to wear Headscarves when entering mosques in Peterborogh . How dare they desecrate our uniform of the Queen's ROYAL AIR FORCE.(where is the MARSHALL OF THE RAF
We must stamp hard on this insurgence of Isam in the K We have had enogh and if we dont we shall end up bieing subjagated by this faactical religion.. Every last one of the MUslims should be shipped back to their own country. I never hear anyone and i me anyone with common sense agreesing with this policey of multi culturalism Its is not what soldiers fought for in WW2 and this is what we are fighting for now, What a disgrace to allow those protesters last week in LUton and for the POLICeE to arrest a decent white English person and charge them with an offnce abslutely abhorrent and i shall never accept any Muslim in this country .

• Posted by: Eeldu • Report Comment

EUROPEANS THINK ISLAM IS DANGEROUS

28.12.08, 8:46am

Great article and about time too, this once great country has been sold out by the malignant pc crazed bunch of socialists that without manadate rule this country. They are in total spineless and I urge, no demand at least one of them to read the article and the majority of agreeing comments and then to stand up, be recognised and agree with their countrymen and women that enough is enough and make preparation for the removal of every vestige of non conforming immigrants. Equally to end this stupid and incoherent policy of an open door Britain.

• Posted by: lowwise • Report Comment

EUROPEANS THINK ISLAM IS DANGEROUS

04.11.08, 10:01am

An overwhelming yes to this statement. We are British in these Islands, and the onslaught of Muslim beliefs being forced upon us is not acceptable. It is clear to see to any normal thinking person that this threat is going to grow. Yes there are peaceful muslims, but the fanaticism of the extremists begs extreme measures to remove them. Allowing Mosques\\ every where, is an invitation for them to eventually gain footholds they should not have.
Has\\ anyone else seen the fanatical marches in London ? I rest my case. But our Government should act, and act now in the interests Britishness, and adopt Australian standards full stop. Kerry0

• Posted by: Kerry0 • Report Comment

**COMMENT REMOVED**

22.06.08, 12:28pm

***ABUSIVE COMMENTS WILL BE REMOVED***

• Posted by: bri9999111 • Report Comment

ISLAM IS DANGEROUS

25.05.08, 9:34am

The problem is that it is getting too late to do anyhting to stop the colonizattionof europe by Islam. The British goverenment has doen all it can to turn the country into a polyglot dumping ground for all races, and amongst these many thousands are those who wish us nothing but hram. But when you opn the folldgates as we have done, how do you close them again?

An open plea to the politicians: When can we have our country back?

• Posted by: saracen • Report Comment

ISLAM IS VERY DANGEROUS

11.05.08, 2:35pm

The Islamic invasion of Europe has begun, the advance guard are here in Britain and taking over large areas of our inner cities. Seemingly immune from British law the Islamic hordes have even persuaded the simple Archbishop of Canterbury that Islamic Shari law should be practised in Britain.(Presumably he also condones the barbaric atrocities and repression of woman carried on in the name of Islam). Where the Islam invasion lands the mosques spring up, christianity retreats and evil Imams are allowed to preach hate and terror for the country whose social security benefits they enjoy.

The tolerance of Islam in this country borders on the insane. Iran would not show any tolerance at all for a christian in Tehran. Islam does not show any tolerance for infidels. Barbaric corporal punishments, stoning to death, beheadings and amputations are all carried out in the name of Islam. Fatwahs and death sentences are issued against all who dare to challenge their way of life. Islamic fanatiscism breeds terrorism and the Islamic society sheilds the terrorist from international justice. Allahu Akbar!!

Islamists do not integrate into our society , they do not accept our standards but rather seek to force their culture on us. We should not tolerate schoolgirls in the yashmak or Imams preaching violence or any suggestion that shari laws can prevail in this country. Islamic aims for world dominance and Islamic terrorism are a clear and present danger and the warning signs are everywhere. The inbred hatred has been intensified by the illegal war in Iraq. We are all in danger from the growing invasion . The army of Islam is swelling too fast in this small country of ours and it is time to close the door to people that do not like us

seaweed saturday

Did you know that seaweed and your body have something in common? Ocean vegetables are a reflection of the body fluids of a person—in good health!

"In the internal environment of our human system, and only there, do we find the same mineral make-up and the same physiognomy as that of seawater." - René Quinton

Our body fluids have the same mineral composition as seawater. In his celebrated work Sea Water, Organic Substance (1897), noted scientist, René Quinton wrote, "In the internal environment of our human system, and only there, do we find the same mineral make-up and the same physiognomy as that of seawater."

Our blood, lymphatic fluid and intracellular fluid or plasma (the colorless fluid part of the blood), contains all one hundred or so minerals and trace elements that exist in the ocean. Just imagine, the necessary life-giving elements that circulate in the ocean currents, are the very same elements, and in very similar concentrations, that flow through our veins!

While we were babies growing in the comfort of our mother's body, we were swimming in fluids which has almost the same composition as that of seawater. Keep that in mind next time you see a pregnant woman walk by. She carries in her her own little ocean!

And get this, amniotic fluid is similar to the unprocessed sodium in seaweed! Seaweeds — the ocean’s main plant life — are just as abundant with the natural goodness of the sea. They act like sponges, and soak up all the minerals and trace elements found in seawater. When we consume these ocean vegetables, all the energy-rich nutrients are absorbed by our bodies and are easily integrated into our cells and tissues. This makes ocean vegetables our important link to the ocean—man’s vital source of life!

In conclusion, because seaweed and your body's mineral make up is similar, a daily diet of these ocean delights is the most natural way for us to re-mineralize, replenish any depleted nutrients, and rebalance internally — to keep us in good, vibrant health!

Proceed from seaweed and your body to the homepage

chicken or egg

Oldest dinosaur burrow discovered

Matt Walker Editor, Earth News

A burrow photographed from above, showing a cross section, with the entrance on the right side and chamber on the left

The world's oldest dinosaur burrows have been discovered in Australia.

Three separate burrows have been found in all, the biggest 2m long, each built to a similar design and just big enough to hold the body of a small dinosaur.

The 106-million-year-old burrows, the first to be found outside of North America, would have been much closer to the South Pole when they were created.

That supports the idea that dinosaurs living in cold, harsh climates burrowed underground to survive.

The only other known dinosaur burrow was discovered in 2005 in Montana, US.

Described two years later, this burrow dated from 95 million years ago and contained the bones of an adult and two juveniles of a small new species of dinosaur called Oryctodromeus cubicularis.

It provides an alternative explanation for how small dinosaurs might have overwintered in polar environments Palaeontologist Anthony Martin

Now the older burrows have been found by one of the researchers who made the original Montana discovery.

"Like many discoveries in palaeontology, it happened by a combination of serendipity and previous knowledge," says Anthony Martin of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, US.

"In May 2006, I hiked into the field site with a group of graduate students with the intention of looking for dinosaur tracks. We did indeed find a few dinosaur tracks that day, but while there I also noted a few intriguing structures."

Martin returned to the site, a place dubbed Knowledge Creek that lies 240km from Melbourne, Victoria, to study these structures, once in July 2007 and again in May this year.

His first reaction was one of astonishment.

"I was scanning the outcrop for trace fossils, and was very surprised to see the same type of structure I had seen in Cretaceous rocks of Montana the previous year," says Martin.

That original structure turned out to be the burrow of O. cubicularis, which Martin described with colleagues David Varricchio from Montana State University, Bozeman, US, and Yoshi Katsura of Gifu Prefectural Museum in Seki City, Japan.

"So to walk up to the outcrop and see such a strikingly similar structure, in rocks only slightly older, but in another hemisphere, was rather eerie."

Twisting structures

Within the rock, which forms part of the so-called Otway group of rocks that have yielded a rich diversity of vertebrate fossils, Martin found three separate burrows less than 3m apart, which he describes in the journal Cretaceous Research.

Two of the burrows formed a semi-helix, twisting down into the rock that was once soil.

The largest and best preserved, dubbed tunnel A, turns twice before ending in a larger chamber. In total, it is more than 2.1m long.

Martin calculates that an animal around 10kg in size would have made each burrow.

Modern animals which create such burrows include aardwolves, alligators, coyotes, gopher tortoises and striped hyenas. Twisting burrows can help stop predators getting in and keep the temperature and humidity constant.

Martin can't be sure which species of dinosaur made the burrows, but he is struck by how similar their designs are to the burrow made by O. cubicularis.

A variety of small ornithopod dinosaurs were also known to have lived in the area during the same time in the Cretaceous. These ornithopods stood upright on their hind legs and were about the size of a large, modern-day iguana.

Surviving the cold

Martin has ruled out a variety of other factors that could have created the burrows.

The fact that they were made by dinosaurs makes sense, he says.

Twenty years ago, researchers in Australia, including Patricia Vickers-Rich of Monash University in Clayton and Thomas Rich of the Museum of Victoria, first proposed that some dinosaurs may have climbed into burrows to survive harsh climates they couldn't escape from by migrating.

"It gives us yet another example of how dinosaurs evolved certain adaptive behaviours in accordance with their ecosystems," Martin says.

"Polar dinosaurs in particular must have possessed special adaptations to deal with polar winters, and one of their behavioural options was burrowing. It provides an alternative explanation for how small dinosaurs might have overwintered in polar environments."

Martin now hopes that palaeontologists will be on the look out for a range of different types of dinosaur burrow, and for dinosaurs that are physically adapted to burrowing into soil