Monday, November 8, 2010
Colorado DA drops felony hit-and-run charges against billion-dollar financier because of "serious job implications"
There's rules for things like this - we like to call them 'laws' - but as you can see ... there's rules for us and there's rules for them.
Colorado District Attorney Mark Hurlbert has dropped felony charges against Martin Joel Erzinger, a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney wealth manager who controls $1 billion in investments, because financial rules would require Erzinger to notify his clients that he was charged with a felony, and this would have "serious job implications" for the financier. Erzinger is facing charges for allegedly rear-ending cyclist Dr. Steven Milo, and then leaving the scene of the crime. Milo, a liver transplant surgeon, has spinal and brain injuries, disfiguring scars, and will likely be in pain for the rest of his life.
Milo was bicycling eastbound on Highway 6 just east of Miller Ranch Road, when Erzinger allegedly hit him with the black 2010 Mercedes Benz sedan he was driving. Erzinger fled the scene and was arrested later, police say. Erzinger allegedly veered onto the side of the road and hit Milo from behind. Milo was thrown to the pavement, while Erzinger struck a culvert and kept driving, according to court documents.
Erzinger drove all the way through Avon, the town's roundabouts, under I-70 and stopped in the Pizza Hut parking lot where he called the Mercedes auto assistance service to report damage to his vehicle, and asked that his car be towed, records show. He did not ask for law enforcement assistance, according to court records.
Erzinger told police he was unaware he had hit Milo, court documents say.
When Avon police arrived he was putting a broken side mirror and a bumper in his trunk, court record say.
Scientists Fight Back Against Climate Change Denying Politicians
With repugicans in charge of the House in 2011, they're planning to hold high profile hearings examining the alleged "scientific fraud" behind global warming. The only fraud, of course, is the claim that there's been a "scientific fraud", but a new House investigation will make for some interesting theater.
Photo: Aske Holst, Flickr, CC
The most surprising thing about the midterm elections wasn't that it swept over 60 Tea Party-backed candidates to power -- it was that more than half of those candidates are on record denying climate change. Unified climate denial is an alarming platform to adopt in the modern world, considering every other major political party around the globe -- even conservative ones -- acknowledges that global warming is a serious problem. But the ascendant far-right wing that's just taken power isn't deterred by stuff like science: The GOP plans to attack the EPA, "investigate" climate scientists, and convince the public that climate change is a scam. Thankfully, climate scientists have had enough. This time, they're fighting back.Article continues: 700 Scientists Fight Back Against Climate Change Denying Politicians
Dead Coral Found in Deepwater Near BP Oil Spill Well
Article continues: Dead Coral Found in Deepwater Near BP Oil Spill Well
Collider produces 'mini-Big Bang'
The Large Hadron Collider has successfully created a mini-Big Bang by smashing together lead ions instead of protons.Scientists turn skin into blood
In an important breakthrough, scientists at McMaster University have discovered how to make human blood from adult human skin.
The discovery, published in the prestigious science journal Nature today, could mean that in the foreseeable future people needing blood for surgery, cancer treatment or treatment of other blood conditions like anemia will be able to have blood created from a patch of their own skin to provide transfusions. Clinical trials could begin as soon as 2012.
Mick Bhatia, scientific director of McMaster's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, and his team of researchers have also shown that the conversion is direct. Making blood from skin does not require the middle step of changing a skin stem cell into a pluripotent stem cell that could make many other types of human cells, then turning it into a blood stem cell.
"We have shown this works using human skin. We know how it works and believe we can even improve on the process," said Bhatia. "We'll now go on to work on developing other types of human cell types from skin, as we already have encouraging evidence."
The discovery was replicated several times over two years using human skin from both young and old people to prove it works for any age of person.
The discovery, published in the prestigious science journal Nature today, could mean that in the foreseeable future people needing blood for surgery, cancer treatment or treatment of other blood conditions like anemia will be able to have blood created from a patch of their own skin to provide transfusions. Clinical trials could begin as soon as 2012.
Mick Bhatia, scientific director of McMaster's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, and his team of researchers have also shown that the conversion is direct. Making blood from skin does not require the middle step of changing a skin stem cell into a pluripotent stem cell that could make many other types of human cells, then turning it into a blood stem cell.
"We have shown this works using human skin. We know how it works and believe we can even improve on the process," said Bhatia. "We'll now go on to work on developing other types of human cell types from skin, as we already have encouraging evidence."
The discovery was replicated several times over two years using human skin from both young and old people to prove it works for any age of person.
Animation — from an ancient art form to high science
Cryptic images from Paleolithic cave drawings to Shrek, the movie.
I thought to tackle a much lighter topic than aging, cancer, toxic spills and malaria for a change of pace, especially since Christmas is getting closer and need some happier thoughts. Top 10 Famous & Deadly Swords
It was made of copper and was uncovered at the Harappan sites in present-day Pakistan.
By the Middle Ages iron and steel swords were being mass produced and used in battle.
Soldiers were trained in swordsmanship and prepared for combat.
It was before the era of guns and high powered artillery and face to face fighting was the norm.
During this time in history, all of the royal generals, kings, and emperors owned personal swords.
These weapons were manufactured by the greatest sword makers of the time.
Many historical manuscripts document events surrounding significant swords.
Ancient Roman site collapses
The wreckage of a 2,000-year-old gladiators' house is an 'embarrassment' for Italy.
Also: Earth may have had water from day one
The planet's water came from the dust from which Earth was born – and not simply from comet or asteroid impacts, new calculations suggest.Tallest Monkey God Statue
This is rather exciting news: World's tallest Hanuman statue at Shimla.
Religiosity in India is scaling new heights. Just on the outskirts of this erstwhile summer capital of the British raj, a giant 108 feet high idol of Hanuman (the Monkey God) was unveiled at Jakhoo Hanuman temple, overlooking the entire city.How does it measure up to Christian idols?
Given its gigantism, it would not be out of place to say that monkeys will be omnipresent in this famous tourist destination which already has a large monkey population.
Deemed to be world's tallest statue at 108 feet at the highest altitude of over 8100 feet and constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crores, it surpasses the current tallest statue of 'Christ the Redeemer', which measures at 98 feet and stands at an altitude of 2296 feet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to Hindu mythology Hanuman is said to have stooped at this spot to ask the way to Drona Giri to know the exact location of the sanjeevini booti that he had set out to get.
Baby koala shot 15 times in cruel attack
An orphaned koala which was shot up to 15 times in a cruel attack is fighting for its life after being found next to its dead mother. The tiny joey received a fractured skull, gunshot pellets scattered throughout the body and damaged stomach and intestines in the attack which has shocked animal rescuers. Vets say it is not clear yet whether the joey, which was blasted out of a tree with a shotgun on Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland, will survive.
The joey was found at Jimna on Friday next to its mother, which had died from gunshot wounds. Stomach and intestinal perforations have been repaired and three pellets removed, including from the skull, but a further 12 remain. Veterinarian Amber Gillett said yesterday the joey - who staff named Frodo - remained in a critical condition. If her condition can be stabilized, she will undergo further surgery to remove pellets and repair damage.
She is receiving intravenous antibiotics, fluids and pain relief and has had blood transfusions. "Frodo's condition is extremely critical and will require intensive monitoring and care in the coming days," Dr Gillett said. "We are stunned to see this kind of animal cruelty and cannot begin to fathom why somebody would want to shoot a koala that poses no threat to them."
RSPCA chief executive Mark Townend said his organization would provide any help needed to find the culprit and would be happy to prosecute. "If people think they can help, contact us, the police or the Environment Department," Mr Townend said. "I just can't believe the ratbags we've had to deal with over the past 12 months. We've spent a lot of money on education about animal welfare. If people don't like animals, why don't they just leave them alone. They don't have to shoot them."
The joey was found at Jimna on Friday next to its mother, which had died from gunshot wounds. Stomach and intestinal perforations have been repaired and three pellets removed, including from the skull, but a further 12 remain. Veterinarian Amber Gillett said yesterday the joey - who staff named Frodo - remained in a critical condition. If her condition can be stabilized, she will undergo further surgery to remove pellets and repair damage.
She is receiving intravenous antibiotics, fluids and pain relief and has had blood transfusions. "Frodo's condition is extremely critical and will require intensive monitoring and care in the coming days," Dr Gillett said. "We are stunned to see this kind of animal cruelty and cannot begin to fathom why somebody would want to shoot a koala that poses no threat to them."
RSPCA chief executive Mark Townend said his organization would provide any help needed to find the culprit and would be happy to prosecute. "If people think they can help, contact us, the police or the Environment Department," Mr Townend said. "I just can't believe the ratbags we've had to deal with over the past 12 months. We've spent a lot of money on education about animal welfare. If people don't like animals, why don't they just leave them alone. They don't have to shoot them."
Canadian couple find second python in their home
When Janet Wilkinson opened her washing machine, she expected to find some laundry. Instead, she found a python. She shrieked, “Another snake!”
Finding a python living in your home, without your consent, is a lot to handle. But finding more than one? Well, that’s terrifying. The Royal Python Wilkinson found coiled in her washing machine on Friday night was the second snake she and her husband, Chris Forde, have found in their home in two weeks.
“Lightning only strikes in the same place once,” Wilkinson said at the couple’s home near Coxwell and Danforth Aves. on Saturday. “But last night it struck again — and it is probably going to strike three or four more times.”
One snake is an anomaly. Two snakes are a family. And a local pet store informed the couple that they’ll likely meet some reptilian siblings in the near future.
Finding a python living in your home, without your consent, is a lot to handle. But finding more than one? Well, that’s terrifying. The Royal Python Wilkinson found coiled in her washing machine on Friday night was the second snake she and her husband, Chris Forde, have found in their home in two weeks.
“Lightning only strikes in the same place once,” Wilkinson said at the couple’s home near Coxwell and Danforth Aves. on Saturday. “But last night it struck again — and it is probably going to strike three or four more times.”
One snake is an anomaly. Two snakes are a family. And a local pet store informed the couple that they’ll likely meet some reptilian siblings in the near future.
Extinct bears found underwater
Underwater archaeologists have discovered the skulls of four Arctotherium - a genus of short-faced bear that went extinct 11,300 years ago
Ants enslave the strong not weak
Slavemaker ants target strongly defended colonies when seeking new servants, researchers find.South America's Unusual Animals in Stunning Close-ups
Photo credit: Rossi Fox Production
Canadian photographer Daniel Fox traveled extensively through Argentina to capture the beauty of nature and animals for The Wild Image Project (which we featured in a slideshow last year). Recently, the artist and his partner Jasmine Rossi embarked on a new venture: The Mate Expedition, a trip through the Argentine mesopotamia to discover what makes the South American drink mate such a core component of the culture of the country, and to observe the exuberant local fauna and flora.
The result is a set of whole new photographs, this time including pretty unusual animals native of the Central and South American regions, some of them in danger of extinction.
New Wave Alpacas
Alpacas are a South American species in the camel family. The alpaca, guanaco, llama, and vicuña are closely related and are known collectively as lamoids. The long, fine repellent hair ranges in color from black to white and is highly prized for manufacturing cloth, particularly the white wool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
