Thanks for reading, if you have any comments or suggestions you can reach me directly HERE. Or on Myspace HERE.
Stay rational,
Jack
and the RRS MI team

Table of Contents

Click HERE to find your local affiliate!

Rational Response Squad News

The great big request for submissions WIN PRIZES! Rational Response Update (video by Brian Sapient)

RRS Michigan News

Detroit Science Center outing

Science News

First Light For Word's Largest 'Thermometer Camera' Levitation Mystery Cracked in Lab Zombie snails (mind controlling parasite) Ancient human fossils show women much smaller

Religion

BeliefWatch: Banned? Jesus, Barbie To Share Shelf At Wal-Mart WHO DOES GOD KILL? A SHORT LIST OF GODS Scientists confront the growing influence of Islam Actual Baptist Calculus Course Description

Government

Sucking up to Big Religion may not help Clinton & Obama Army denounces 3 articles written by GI Canada declassifies papers on rendition

Community

Atheist Blood Drive Atheists for Autism Research Charity! Sam Harris talks about liberals

Entertainment

Doug Stanhope "You make your own christianity" Slayer-Jesus Saves Live Mr Show - Lifeboat Patton Oswalt- Bush and Cheney as the Dukes of Hazzard

The great big request for submissions WIN PRIZES!

****UPDATE 7-22-07 CONTEST EXTENDED. GREYDON SQUARE CATEGORY ADDED. OTHER CHANGES AND PRIZES AWARDED. PLEASE REVIEW AGAIN AND SUBMIT SOMETHING!!!****

NOTE: DUE TO ERROR IN LINKS AND LOW SUBMISSIONS, THIS CONTEST HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MARCH 15TH, 2008.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION READ EVERYTHING FIRST, CLICK LINKS! COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS SHOULD BE POSTED PUBLICLY IN THIS THREAD FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PARTICIPANTS! PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THE INFORMATION OF THIS SUBMISSION DRIVE FREELY.

The Rational Response Squad is proud to announce a call to action for content submissisions. We have been blown away by the positive feedback we've received from the freethinking community. Thanks to everyone who has placed a banner, or our player on your website and helped spread the word in some manner. We've received many great written submissions of thoughts and views, but had no place to put them, so we've created a guideline to help you, help us. The categories in which we need submissions are listed below, send us your best material. Your writings will be added to our library of articles, essays, and debunkings. We're hoping to build one of the largest and diverse free libraries of rational thoughts on the internet. Please post everything publicly on our forum so it's there for all RRS members to access who are working on this project. In addition to hosting everything in a free web archive, we may also compile views into a free e-book or a book for sale to generate money for activist projects. Not that you need a reward to share your views with others, but as a thank you we'll be awarding prizes to as many of the top participants as we can. Prizes will be awarded based on effort put in and quality of writing.

We've put the categories in order of need and may alter the order later as submissions come in.
Prizes will be awarded MARCH 15TH, 2008, but you can continue to submit content well after MARCH 15TH, 2008.

For more info on this and other RRS sponsored contests go to the thread HERE

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Rational Response Update

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Detroit Science Center outing

I saw this advertised on a billboard on Telegraph, and I instantly wanted to go see it! It's an exhibition on anatomy using actual human bodies at the Detroit Science Center. I'm not sure if this should be an official RRS MI event, but I still wanna see how many would be interested in making a group outing of it. Here are the details. Get back to me if you'd like to go!

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First Light For Word's Largest 'Thermometer Camera'

Science Daily — The world's largest bolometer camera for submillimetre astronomy is now in service at the 12-m APEX telescope, located on the 5100m high Chajnantor plateau in the Chilean Andes. LABOCA was specifically designed for the study of extremely cold astronomical objects and, with its large field of view and very high sensitivity, will open new vistas in our knowledge of how stars form and how the first galaxies emerged from the Big Bang.

My grasp on scientific terminology is limited so forgive the simple verbiage.

The argument is that if there is no god or master plan regarding humanity (or life in general I suppose) then we are merely the sum of matter and energy. This implies that when we make a 'decision' we are not actually expressing free will or choice. Basically, if all we are is matter and energy responding to external stimulus that the choice we make is determined before we make it. We are incapable of making a choice outside that which our chemical make up and interpretation of experiences decides for us.

So far as I can tell, this is supposed to be a blow to the atheist ideal and show that atheism is merely the proof of absence of free will. This is a pretty offensive idea because we generally cling to our choices as meaningful. My instinct is (and I responded accordingly) to rebel from such an idea and to defend the idea that I make my own choices and that I am not a drone.

Todays post is very science heavy. I really didn't plan it that way, I just found way too much cool stuf not to pass it on.

Also, a reminder that I am accepting content contributions for the "Rational Response Column". Anything you have written that you would like to share, but I am particularly looking for your de-conversion stories for now.

Thanks for reading, if you have any comments or suggestions you can reach me directly HERE. Or on Myspace HERE.
Stay rational,
Jack
and the RRS MI team

Table of Contents

Click HERE to find your local affiliate!

Rational Response Squad News

Rational Response Update (video by Brian Sapient)

RRS Michigan News

Detroit Science Center outing

Science News

China's White Dolphin Likely Extinct Four-Galaxy Pileup Caught on Cosmic Camera First Europeans Came From Asia, Not Africa, Tooth Study Suggests Kenyan Fossils May Add New Branch to Human Family Tree "Missing Link" Human Skull Found in Africa, Scientists Say Largest Known Planet Found, Has Density of Cork History of the Universe Made Easy (video)

Religion

Fuck bullshit "christians" Bart Ehrman "Misquoting Jesus" (Interview) Church and State (video) The Holyland Experience: the theme park where Jesus dies six times a week

Government

A Security Vacuum

Community

Atheist Blood Drive Atheists for Autism Research Charity! Citizens for (pushing their) Community Values (on you) Nazi Pop Twins (Video)

Entertainment

Bush's NEW war - on ZOMBIES! Soulfly - Frontlines

Rational Response Update

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Detroit Science Center outing

I saw this advertised on a billboard on Telegraph, and I instantly wanted to go see it! It's an exhibition on anatomy using actual human bodies at the Detroit Science Center. I'm not sure if this should be an official RRS MI event, but I still wanna see how many would be interested in making a group outing of it. Here are the details. Get back to me if you'd like to go!

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China's White Dolphin Likely Extinct

AFP

Aug. 8, 2007 — China's rapid industrialization has likely made extinct a species of freshwater dolphin that had been on Earth for over 20 million years, Chinese and British biologists said Wednesday.

A fairly short post today. I worked on the format a little, to improve the clarity and such. You may not even notice, but if you do, lemme know what you think.

Thanks for reading, if you have any comments or suggestions you can reach me directly HERE. Or on Myspace HERE.
Stay rational,
Jack
and the RRS MI team

Table of Contents

Click HERE to find your local affiliate!

Rational Response Squad News

Rational Response Update (video by Brian Sapient)

RRS Michigan News

THE MURDER OF LARRY HOOPER

Science News

Stone Age Site Surfaces After 8000 Years

Religion

God fearing logic World's Largest Carpet Woven for Worshippers "Devil Possessions" Swept England After Invasion, Study Suggests

Government

Russia Plants Underwater Flag, Claims Arctic Seafloor Surge of Suicide Bombers

Community

Atheist Blood Drive Atheists for Autism Research Charity!

Entertainment

Joseph Ain't the Father Stop those pesky Alien mind control waves Atheists: god, Rapture 'em already A Perfect Circle - Imagine

Rational Response Column

I CAME TO ATHEISM BY ACCIDENT, by Rook Hawkins

Rational Response Update

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THE MURDER OF LARRY HOOPER

Editorial Comment:
I actually never heard of this case, even though I live in Michigan, and a mere 15 minutes driving time from the city of Taylor in which the murder took place. It is disconserting to say the least, especially since I frequently wear my RRS shirt in public, as well as other shirts with anti-religious themes (one in particular could be construde as quite incendiary, featuring on the back in big bold print "END OF GOD, THE WAY IT MUST BE") . Despite all this, I've never been the victim of any sort of taunting or discrimination. I guess I've been lulled into a false sense of complacency on the matter. There are, after all, 9 churches within a mile of my house, so I suppose I shouldn't be all THAT surprised, but reading this article was , none-the-less, a very sobering experience.

THE MURDER OF LARRY HOOPER
By Arlene-Marie
December 20, 2005
(Edited for punctuation and clarity.)

http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Murdered_for_being_an_atheist

On October 18, 2004, Arthur Shelton, a self described Christian and Eagle Scout, murdered his friend and roommate, Larry Hooper, because Hooper didn't believe in God.

On December 18, 2005, after many months of postponements, Arthur Shelton, with his defense attorney, Seymour Swartz, appeared at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit, Michigan, before Judge Gregory D. Bill to face charges of murder in the first degree brought by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Christina Guiruis.

The trial began with the taped phone call Arthur Shelton placed to the Taylor police department in Taylor, Michigan, October 18, 2004, at precisely 12:44 AM. Shelton sounded calm and pridefull when he told the dispatcher he had just shot "the devil himself" with a revolver and a shotgun because "he (Hooper) didn't believe in God." Shelton told the dispatcher he was "still armed and ready to shoot again in case he moves. I want to make sure he's gone." When the dispatcher asked how many times he shot the victim Shelton replied, "hopefully enough."

Throughout the 15 minute phone call Shelton often repeated, "I'm a Christian and an Eagle Scout and I wouldn't lie," and "don't worry about me, I'm fine, but he's the devil." The dispatcher struggled to persuade Shelton to lay down his weapon and go outdoors with his arms raised. Shelton resisted, as he feared Hooper might not be "dead enough", but eventually complied.

Dead enough was an understatement. When the police arrived they were confronted with the grizzly scene of Hooper sitting upright on the couch with his head blown away and his brain laying on his hand. The autopsy report presented by the prosecutor was gruesome to be sure, but, for the record, Larry Hooper tested negative for all narcotics and alcohol.

Testimony by the arresting officer and the officers transporting Shelton to the police station revealed that while the officers were interested in gathering details about the incident, Shelton was obsessed with talking about God, the Eagle Scouts and stating he "would not talk to anyone who didn't believe in God but that he would talk to the police because he felt they believed in God."

On the second day of the trial the court played the videotape of the late night interrogation with Arthur Shelton. He appeared calm, cooperative and enjoyed the cookies and milk he was served. Once again Arthur was obsessed about talking about God and the Eagle Scouts. He stated he "was not sorry for a second that he killed Hooper." He stated, "In the eyes of the law I was wrong and will probably spend the rest of my life in prison, but in the eyes of God I have killed an evil person -- the devil himself." And when Arthur took the witness stand in his own defense he reiterated much of the same ideas.

Day three of the trial we heard summary arguments. The defense had little problem proving that Arthur is obsessed with religion, God and Eagle Scouts and pleaded for a verdict of not guilty due to insanity. The prosecution had little problem proving that Arthur was competent, knew the difference between right and wrong and called for a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. As this was a wavered trial Judge Bill rendered his verdict quickly -- guilty of second-degree murder with mental illness.

On December 19, 2005, we returned to Judge Bill's court to witness sentencing of Arthur Shelton. The prosecution asked for the 'high end' of punishment - 25 to 45 years, while the defense was still pleading for not guilty due to insanity or, at the very most, a soft sentence at the 'low end' of punishment 15 to 22 years. Judge Bill invited Shelton to make a statement and after fumbling for words Shelton stated he was sorry that Larry was dead but he did a job that had to be done. He stated that he actually, "saw fire and smoke coming from Larry's eyes and knew he was the devil himself."

Judge Bill proceeded to tenderly read letters written to him from Shelton's family members pleading for leniency. Shelton sat facing the audience and blew kisses to his tearful and sometimes sobbing family. In the end, the now stern-faced Judge Bill pronounced sentencing -- 25 to 45 years. Shelton was stunned and tried to negotiate the sentence stating, "I'm 50 years old and that is as good as a life sentence." Judge Bill responded, "Mr. Shelton you gave Larry Hooper a life sentence by committing one of the most heinous murders to come before my court." (In a private conversation, the prosecutor, Ms Guirguis, explained that Michigan law requires that Shelton must serve 25 years before being eligible for parole.)

I add now a disgusting chain of events that took place in the courtroom, the hallways, the lobby of the court building, the staircase outside of the courthouse and even the ladies bathroom. George Shiffer and myself attended day one of the trial. Upon arrival we were asked who we were and I gave the court my American Atheist business card. Word that we were Atheists traveled fast in this court room that offered very limited seating and the only others in attendance were 11 members of Shelton's family who immediately began taunting George and me with "the people from hell, evil, and devils." At breaks they waited for us in the hall and continued with more of the same while adding "God loves you" and blowing us kisses and shoving their crosses (worn on chains around their necks) in our faces. Several of the women even followed me into the bathroom and did their best to intimidate me with their crosses. Through it all George and I never flinched, but at the conclusion of the day I reported this taunting to the Officer of the Court who admitted that they were aware of the problem and escorted us to the elevator, past and to the disappointment of the waiting group of 'good Christians'.

On Day two when George and I, together with Joe Milon, entered the court room the taunting began immediately. Within an hour the Judge announced that those making gestures and faces had better cease or they would be removed. For the balance of the day the Christians wore their neck crosses on their backs, as we were seated in the back row, while constantly flopping them about with their hand. When we returned from lunch (without court escort) the Christians were waiting for us on the seventh floor and lunged at us with small signs they had painted -- 'Jesus lives', 'God loves you' -- and, again, thrusted their crosses within 2 or 3 inches from our noses. Tempers flared and a brief shouting match began. Brief because the court officers were there in a flash.

Day three found Atheist Lee Helms in the same taunted position of the previous days though he was not known to the court or the Christians. At the conclusion of the day an officer of the court detained him stating they have been having trouble with 'those people' (Christians) and escorted him to the elevators.

Even with all that behind us, December 19th, the day of sentencing, was still a horrific experience for myself, George Shiffer, Joe Milon, Lee Helms and Marty Maier. When leaving the courtroom the 'Christian' Shelton family lay in wait for us in the hallway. Their tears dried, they surrounded us shouting these comments: "The one good thing of all of this is that another Atheist is dead and the world is better off for it" and "The only good Atheist is a dead Atheist."

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Stone Age Site Surfaces After 8000 Years

Science Daily — Excavations of an underwater Stone Age archaeological settlement dating back 8000 years took place at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton between 30 July – 3 August 2007.

Maritime archaeologists from the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA) have been working at the site just off the Isle of Wight coast. Divers working at depths of 11 metres have raised sections of the seabed, which have been brought to the NOCS laboratories for excavation.

I CAME TO ATHEISM BY ACCIDENT, AND I DECIDED TO STAY
By Rook Hawkins

Looking back from where I am at now, my life has always been one of luck. I am one of only three brothers to survive past one year of age, I have the most caring and understanding—if not down right supportive—family a guy could ever hope for, and I’ve really never been denied anything I’ve sought after save perhaps a full career serving my country which is something I think I’ll never get over. My parents did divorce when I was four years old, and even among the normal bickering that parents do when they think they know what is best for their child, I never really felt like I was in a bad place, even if my childhood was something other then what would be considered ‘normal.’

Today I'd like to draw your attention to the 2 RRS sections, firstly. Beyond that, not much commentary outa me today. I will, however, appologise in advance for this being an article heavy post, but reading never hurt anyone, lol.

Thanks for reading, if you have any comments or suggestions you can reach me directly HERE. Or on Myspace HERE.
Stay rational,
Jack
and the RRS MI team

Table of Contents

Click HERE to find your local affiliate!

Rational Response Squad News

Rational Response Update (video by Brian Sapient)

RRS Michigan News

THE MURDER OF LARRY HOOPER

Science News

New planet found near giant red star Dark Matter: All Wrong? Jaws, Teeth of Earliest Bony Fish Discovered Odd Skull Boosts Human, Neandertal Interbreeding Theory

Religion

Canada's Crossroads Walkers Prepare to Enter Ottawa: Parliament Hill Only Days Away Zionists Censor Rachel Corrie Play in Toronto but Political Art Prevails in Seattle

Government

The new North American Union Law on religion in school spurs fear British Columbia Government Releases Overview of Controversial Pro-Gay School Curriculum

Community

Atheist Blood Drive Atheist family on Wifeswap Guaranteed to CONVERT ALL HEATHENS! 10 Ways to be an Atheist Activist" Students must remember God in Texas pledge

Entertainment

Masturbating really pisses Jesus off The Unthinking Majority Judith

Rational Response Column

My journey to Disbelief

Rational Response Update

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THE MURDER OF LARRY HOOPER

Editorial Comment:
I actually never heard of this case, even though I live in Michigan, and a mere 15 minutes driving time from the city of Taylor in which the murder took place. It is disconserting to say the least, especially since I frequently wear my RRS shirt in public, as well as other shirts with anti-religious themes (one in particular could be construde as quite incendiary, featuring on the back in big bold print "END OF GOD, THE WAY IT MUST BE") . Despite all this, I've never been the victim of any sort of taunting or discrimination. I guess I've been lulled into a false sense of complacency on the matter. There are, after all, 9 churches within a mile of my house, so I suppose I shouldn't be all THAT surprised, but reading this article was , none-the-less, a very sobering experience.

THE MURDER OF LARRY HOOPER
By Arlene-Marie
December 20, 2005
(Edited for punctuation and clarity.)

http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Murdered_for_being_an_atheist

On October 18, 2004, Arthur Shelton, a self described Christian and Eagle Scout, murdered his friend and roommate, Larry Hooper, because Hooper didn't believe in God.

On December 18, 2005, after many months of postponements, Arthur Shelton, with his defense attorney, Seymour Swartz, appeared at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit, Michigan, before Judge Gregory D. Bill to face charges of murder in the first degree brought by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Christina Guiruis.

The trial began with the taped phone call Arthur Shelton placed to the Taylor police department in Taylor, Michigan, October 18, 2004, at precisely 12:44 AM. Shelton sounded calm and pridefull when he told the dispatcher he had just shot "the devil himself" with a revolver and a shotgun because "he (Hooper) didn't believe in God." Shelton told the dispatcher he was "still armed and ready to shoot again in case he moves. I want to make sure he's gone." When the dispatcher asked how many times he shot the victim Shelton replied, "hopefully enough."

Throughout the 15 minute phone call Shelton often repeated, "I'm a Christian and an Eagle Scout and I wouldn't lie," and "don't worry about me, I'm fine, but he's the devil." The dispatcher struggled to persuade Shelton to lay down his weapon and go outdoors with his arms raised. Shelton resisted, as he feared Hooper might not be "dead enough", but eventually complied.

Dead enough was an understatement. When the police arrived they were confronted with the grizzly scene of Hooper sitting upright on the couch with his head blown away and his brain laying on his hand. The autopsy report presented by the prosecutor was gruesome to be sure, but, for the record, Larry Hooper tested negative for all narcotics and alcohol.

Testimony by the arresting officer and the officers transporting Shelton to the police station revealed that while the officers were interested in gathering details about the incident, Shelton was obsessed with talking about God, the Eagle Scouts and stating he "would not talk to anyone who didn't believe in God but that he would talk to the police because he felt they believed in God."

On the second day of the trial the court played the videotape of the late night interrogation with Arthur Shelton. He appeared calm, cooperative and enjoyed the cookies and milk he was served. Once again Arthur was obsessed about talking about God and the Eagle Scouts. He stated he "was not sorry for a second that he killed Hooper." He stated, "In the eyes of the law I was wrong and will probably spend the rest of my life in prison, but in the eyes of God I have killed an evil person -- the devil himself." And when Arthur took the witness stand in his own defense he reiterated much of the same ideas.

Day three of the trial we heard summary arguments. The defense had little problem proving that Arthur is obsessed with religion, God and Eagle Scouts and pleaded for a verdict of not guilty due to insanity. The prosecution had little problem proving that Arthur was competent, knew the difference between right and wrong and called for a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. As this was a wavered trial Judge Bill rendered his verdict quickly -- guilty of second-degree murder with mental illness.

On December 19, 2005, we returned to Judge Bill's court to witness sentencing of Arthur Shelton. The prosecution asked for the 'high end' of punishment - 25 to 45 years, while the defense was still pleading for not guilty due to insanity or, at the very most, a soft sentence at the 'low end' of punishment 15 to 22 years. Judge Bill invited Shelton to make a statement and after fumbling for words Shelton stated he was sorry that Larry was dead but he did a job that had to be done. He stated that he actually, "saw fire and smoke coming from Larry's eyes and knew he was the devil himself."

Judge Bill proceeded to tenderly read letters written to him from Shelton's family members pleading for leniency. Shelton sat facing the audience and blew kisses to his tearful and sometimes sobbing family. In the end, the now stern-faced Judge Bill pronounced sentencing -- 25 to 45 years. Shelton was stunned and tried to negotiate the sentence stating, "I'm 50 years old and that is as good as a life sentence." Judge Bill responded, "Mr. Shelton you gave Larry Hooper a life sentence by committing one of the most heinous murders to come before my court." (In a private conversation, the prosecutor, Ms Guirguis, explained that Michigan law requires that Shelton must serve 25 years before being eligible for parole.)

I add now a disgusting chain of events that took place in the courtroom, the hallways, the lobby of the court building, the staircase outside of the courthouse and even the ladies bathroom. George Shiffer and myself attended day one of the trial. Upon arrival we were asked who we were and I gave the court my American Atheist business card. Word that we were Atheists traveled fast in this court room that offered very limited seating and the only others in attendance were 11 members of Shelton's family who immediately began taunting George and me with "the people from hell, evil, and devils." At breaks they waited for us in the hall and continued with more of the same while adding "God loves you" and blowing us kisses and shoving their crosses (worn on chains around their necks) in our faces. Several of the women even followed me into the bathroom and did their best to intimidate me with their crosses. Through it all George and I never flinched, but at the conclusion of the day I reported this taunting to the Officer of the Court who admitted that they were aware of the problem and escorted us to the elevator, past and to the disappointment of the waiting group of 'good Christians'.

On Day two when George and I, together with Joe Milon, entered the court room the taunting began immediately. Within an hour the Judge announced that those making gestures and faces had better cease or they would be removed. For the balance of the day the Christians wore their neck crosses on their backs, as we were seated in the back row, while constantly flopping them about with their hand. When we returned from lunch (without court escort) the Christians were waiting for us on the seventh floor and lunged at us with small signs they had painted -- 'Jesus lives', 'God loves you' -- and, again, thrusted their crosses within 2 or 3 inches from our noses. Tempers flared and a brief shouting match began. Brief because the court officers were there in a flash.

Day three found Atheist Lee Helms in the same taunted position of the previous days though he was not known to the court or the Christians. At the conclusion of the day an officer of the court detained him stating they have been having trouble with 'those people' (Christians) and escorted him to the elevators.

Even with all that behind us, December 19th, the day of sentencing, was still a horrific experience for myself, George Shiffer, Joe Milon, Lee Helms and Marty Maier. When leaving the courtroom the 'Christian' Shelton family lay in wait for us in the hallway. Their tears dried, they surrounded us shouting these comments: "The one good thing of all of this is that another Atheist is dead and the world is better off for it" and "The only good Atheist is a dead Atheist."

Comment on this forum post HERE!

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New planet found near giant red star

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- A planet was discovered by a team led by U.S. astronomer Alex Wolszczan, who in 1992 discovered the first planets found outside the solar system.

The newly discovered planet is orbiting a giant red star that is 10 times larger than the sun. The planet circles the giant star every 360 days and is about 300 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Perseus.

The planet is the first discovered by Penn State astronomers using the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, which is operated by the University of Texas at Austin at the McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, Texas, for several universities, including Pennsylvania State University.

"After astronomers have spent more than 10 years searching for planets around sun-like stars and discovering over 250 planets elsewhere in our galactic neighborhood, we still do not know whether our solar system's properties -- including life-supporting conditions on our planet -- are typical or exceptional among solar systems throughout the galaxy," said Wolszczan.

The discovery is to be reported in a November issue of the Astrophysical Journal.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

Read the original story HERE!

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Dark Matter: All Wrong?

Larry O'Hanlon, Discovery News

Aug. 3, 2007 — The mysterious dark matter that's been called on to make sense of the ways galaxies twirl through space may not exist, if an alternative theory is right.

The surprising way galaxies rotate — as if they are much larger and heavier than they appear to be — has long implied to astronomers and astrophysicists that there is more matter out there holding things together than we see.

That unseen and unseeable matter has fallen under the catch-all term "dark matter." These days, the most likely candidate for what makes up dark matter is some sort of weakly interacting particle that we've so far failed to detect.

But there is another radically different possibility: What if gravity itself doesn't work quite the way we think? Maybe at the outer edges of galaxies where the gravitational acceleration — the g — of a galaxy is extremely small, gravity tugs just a tad bit more.

If so, that miniscule difference could be enough to cancel the need for dark matter altogether. That's what the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) theory suggests, astronomer Stacy McGaugh explains in an article in the Aug. 3 issue of the journal Science.

"It's definitely not getting enough attention," said McGaugh of MOND. One reason is that the tiny difference in g which MOND requires is hard to detect. "Even in the inner solar system, the effect is negligible."

To put it into perspective, the g McGaugh is talking about is 1/100 billionth of 1 g. The gravitational acceleration we feel at the surface of the Earth is 1 g, and the Earth feels about 1/10,000th of a g from the sun.

The Hubble telescope spies a new class of planets.

"It's definitely not getting enough attention," said McGaugh of MOND. One reason is that the tiny difference in g which MOND requires is hard to detect. "Even in the inner solar system, the effect is negligible."

To put it into perspective, the g McGaugh is talking about is 1/100 billionth of 1 g. The gravitational acceleration we feel at the surface of the Earth is 1 g, and the Earth feels about 1/10,000th of a g from the sun.

Some scientists think the MOND g has already been detected by NASA monitoring the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecrafts, which are now 40 to 60 times further from the sun than Earth.

"They show an extra acceleration directed towards the sun at about the same order of magnitude," said McGaugh.

But he's skeptical, since even a change in the solar wind or even a tiny fuel leak could create the same effect. Also, it's not at all clear that the Pioneers are far enough away to be under the influence of the altered MOND g.

Nor is MOND the only alternative.

"Another possibility is that the dark matter particle is somewhat different than in the standard theories," said astrophysicist James Bullock of the University of California at Irvine. "Of course, I could be wrong and Stacy could be right. This is exactly why we need to keep obtaining new data and making ever more accurate predictions."

New telescopes now being built or planned could clear up the matter soon, Bullocks said.

"This is an exciting area of research that will prove enlightening — one way or the other — over the next 10 years or so," he added.

Read the original story HERE!

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Jaws, Teeth of Earliest Bony Fish Discovered

Fossils of sardine-size fish that swam in ancient oceans are the earliest examples of vertebrates with teeth that grow from their jawbones, according to new a new study.

The fish, which lived 420 million years ago, are a "very modest" beginning for the jaw-and-tooth pattern widespread in nature today, said study co-author Philippe Janvier, a paleontologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.

"It's really the first evidence that we have of the earliest bony fishes—the earliest ancestors of all the fishes that have the[ir] bones and teeth implanted in the bones of the jaw," Janvier said.

Modern bony fish such as cod, herring, and coelacanths have this tooth arrangement. So do tetrapods—four-limbed creatures such as frogs, crocodiles, and humans, which are all descendants of bony fishes. (Related: "Fossil Fish With 'Limbs' Is Missing Link, Study Says" [April 5, 2006].)

When a bony fish or a tetrapod loses a tooth, a new one grows from the bone below the void, whereas other jawed vertebrates, such as sharks, have teeth that grow from inside their gums. Sharks have skeletons of cartilage instead of bone.

Shark teeth are lined up in "families." New teeth grow at the inner end of their respective tooth family, and old teeth fall off at the end of an inside-out progression—similar to a conveyor belt.

Though fossil representatives of the earliest members of each of these living groups are well known, the earliest stages of jawed vertebrate evolution presents a fuzzier picture.

The new fossils help clarify these questions, Janvier said.

Transition Fossils

The researchers discovered the telltale bony fish fossils among fragments collected on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Other fragments came from boulders carried to Germany by glaciers a few million years ago.

Some of the fossils belong to the species Andreolepis hedei and others to Lophosteus superbus, fish previously identified by scale and head bone specimens.

Whether they were truly bony fish or more like sharks was an open question, however.

Two of the new fossils suggest a direct link to bony fish: tooth-bearing jawbones.

What's more, the bones show a tooth pattern that is in between the tooth rows of sharks and bony fishes.

Though these ancient bony fish teeth grew from a bone, old teeth remained attached to the bone. New, larger teeth grew at the inner end of each tooth file.

"It shows a sort of transition between the shark condition and the bony fish condition," Janvier said.

Within 20 million years after Andreolepis hedei and Lophosteus superbus lived, the first bony fish with much larger teeth characteristic of modern bony fish and tetrapods appear in the fossil record. This was during the Devonian period, 416 to 359 million years ago. (Related: "Ancient Fish Fossil May Rewrite Story of Animal Evolution" [October 18, 2006].)

"That's very important because it allowed the bony fishes to become predators," Janvier said.

Sharks also existed in the Devonian, but they were "humble compared to the bony fishes," he said.

The first bony fishes probably ruled the seas, rather than sharks, because the bony fishes' teeth lasted a longer time in the jaw.

"Then, later on, the sharks ... became much larger and big predators," Janvier added.

The study appears in tomorrow's issue of the journal Nature.

Sorting Characteristics

Michael Coates, a biologist at the University of Chicago in Illinois who studies early vertebrate evolution, was not part of the research team.

He said the discovery of rare fossils like the ancient bony fish allows scientists to sort general, primitive characteristics of all jawed vertebrates from the more specialized features that distinguish sharks from bony fishes.

The new study, he noted, clearly shows that Andreolepis and Lophosteus are bony fishes, but their tooth pattern raises a question about what makes a shark a shark.

"Growing teeth in this serial manner around the jaw margin—which once upon a time looked like it was unique to sharks—now looks like it is a general system."

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Read the original story HERE!

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Odd Skull Boosts Human, Neandertal Interbreeding Theory

Brian Handwerk
for National Geographic News
August 2, 2007

A human skull from a Romanian bear cave is shaking up ideas about ancient sex.

The Homo sapiens skull has a distinctive feature previously found only in Neandertals, providing further evidence of interbreeding between the two species, according to a new study.

The human cranium was found during World War II mining operations in 1942, in a cave littered with Ice Age cave bear remains.

Recently the fossil was radiocarbon dated to 33,000 years ago and thoroughly examined, revealing the controversial anatomical feature.

The otherwise human skull has a groove at the base of the back of the skull, just above the neck muscle, that is ubiquitous in Neandertal specimens but has never been seen in the remains of a modern human, argues study leader Erik Trinkaus, an anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

"I was frankly quite surprised to see it when I was looking at the specimen," Trinkaus said. "My first reaction was, that shouldn't be there."

Writing in the August issue of Current Anthropology, Trinkaus and his colleagues say that the skull supports interpretations of other remains found in France, Romania, and the Czech Republic that also have "archaic" or unusual features suggesting interbreeding.

Ancient Debate

Archaeological evidence shows that humans and Neandertals (often spelled Neanderthals) both lived in Europe for several thousand years after the arrival of modern humans about 35,000 years ago. (Learn more about human migrations.)

But the relationship between the two species is hotly debated.

Many researchers believe that modern humans killed off or simply outcompeted Neandertals until the latter went extinct.

Trinkaus and others, however, have suggested that Neandertals became absorbed into Homo sapiens. (Related: "Neandertals, Modern Humans Interbred, Bone Study Suggests" [October 30, 2006].)

Recent DNA research has cast doubt on this theory, suggesting that although humans and Neandertals share some 99.5 percent of their genetic blueprint, their last common ancestor lived some 400,000 years ago. (Related: "Neandertal Gene Study Reveals Early Split With Humans" [October 26, 2006].)

According to Trinkaus, however, the fossil record yields a pretty clear picture of the early humans who first moved out of Africa to populate the rest of the world.

Neandertal features like the skull groove were either not present among those populations or were so rare that they've not yet been found, he said.

"So when we find them in early modern humans in places like Europe, it's a probability statement—either they were very rare in ancestral humans but popped up in these humans or they were something acquired through some small level of admixing with Neandertals," he added.

"We have enough of them now that with each trait the probability of it being just something we haven't seen yet in the early Africans becomes less and less."

Some interbreeding shouldn't be surprising, he continued, because of the sparse populations of humans and Neandertals in ancient Europe.

"As for sex in the Pleistocene [Ice Age] ... I expect they had it," he said. "Neither humans nor Neandertals had a lot of mate choice and, well, that's what happens in the real world. People do what people do."

Random Aberrations?

But the story of the skull is not so straightforward.

Eric Delson, a paleoanthropologist at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York, cautions that the groove feature might not be exactly the same as those found in Neandertals.

It may simply be a type of unusual feature expected in a variable human population like the group that colonized Europe, he said.

"If you look at a thousand modern humans, you can often find one or two that have a bump here, or a groove or depression there," he said.

"That doesn't make them Neandertals or prove that there was a Neandertal in their ancestry some 30,000 years ago."

Delson, however, did not rule out the theory of human-Neandertal interbreeding.

"[Individuals] may cross species boundaries in mating, and [in this case] we are defining the two different species by morphology—these are [all] people. People might see each other, for whatever reason, as potential mates.

"But the genetic evidence is not in favor of hybridization, and this fossil does not convince me, nor do the several from Central Europe. I am still waiting for a 'smoking gun,' or perhaps in this case 'a bleeding hand axe.'"

A modern human skull recovered from a bear cave in Romania shows a groove at the base, just above the neck muscle, that is ubiquitous in Neandertal specimens but has never been seen in the remains of a modern human.

Some scientists say this is more evidence for Neandertal-human interbreeding. But not everyone agrees with the controversial theory.

Read the original story HERE!

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Canada's Crossroads Walkers Prepare to Enter Ottawa: Parliament Hill Only Days Away

Supporters invited to Millenium flame on Parliament Hill at 11:00am on Saturday August 11

By Elizabeth O'Brien

OTTAWA, August 2, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After covering approximately 4,500 kilometers to encourage pro-life awareness and pray for an end to abortion, Canada's Crossroads Walkers are just over a week away from the long-awaited goal of Parliament Hill.

Ever since they started in Vancouver this May, the first Canadian group to perform the Crossroads walk has been taking turns day and night, burning up a set number of kilometers during each shift, in order to reach the capital by August 11. They have crossed the Rocky Mountains, traversed the prairies and made their way through the wilderness of Northern Ontario. Now they are only days away from Parliament Hill.

LifeSiteNews.com interviewed Crossroads participant Cyril Doll as he was walking along Highway 2, overlooking the St. Lawrence River northeast of Brockville. When asked what has been the most challenging aspect of the 3-month long journey, Doll said that it was the physical pain. "I think everyone could attest to that. The physical challenge has definitely been the hardest."

"It would seem as if the further along the easier it would get," he said, but that isn't the case. "Everyone's pretty beat up right now-the blisters, the wear and tear, the shin-splits."

The other most difficult part of the trip, he told LifeSiteNews.com, is the "apathy we've received from Canadians from coast to capital. If we don't have people constantly asking us what we're doing, supporting us, or even detractors, it's a temptation to lose focus. If you don't have someone either fighting you or patting you on the back, you kind of forget what it's all about."

He noted, however, that seeing people's apathetic attitude "strengthens our will to keep going, to say, 'hey this is needed. We have to keep going otherwise we're just a guilty as everyone else.'"

Doll also told LifeSiteNews.com that the greatest blessing, the most rewarding aspect of the journey has been "having faith and just knowing what we're doing is going to make a difference. We may not see the fruits of our work," he said, "but as Catholics we know that our pain, our suffering, our prayers are never going to go to waste. The good Lord is distributing the graces."

"It's rewarding knowing that at the end of the day, as a group of walkers, we can all rest in comfort knowing that we are reaching our goal."

At present there are seven walkers: Cyril Doll (Calgary, AB), Jeremy Fraser (High River, AB), Greg Roth (Saskatoon, SK), Etienne O'Toole (Vancouver, BC), Ben Broussard (Sulpher, LA), Sarah Gallaher (Manassas, VA) and Wendy Macagno (Mojave, CA).

The group is planning to arrive in Ottawa on Friday, August 10 in time to join a group of pro-lifers in prayer before the Morgentaler Abortion Site on Bank Street at noon. The next morning, they will then pray for an end to abortion in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Supporters are encouraged to gather at the Centennial Flame at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to give the walkers a warm welcome as they arrive at Parliament Hill. Pro-life MP Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) will be present and has said, "He is pleased to welcome them on Parliament Hill."

Read the original story HERE!

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Zionists Censor Rachel Corrie Play in Toronto but Political Art Prevails in Seattle

It appears that anti-free speech Zionists have chalked up another point for fanaticism against art - at least in Canada, where a new theatre production has been recently censored. The one-woman play "My Name is Rachel Corrie" was conceived by actor/director Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner, an editor at the UK news publication The Guardian. The 90 minute play is based on the journals and emails of American anti-imperialist activist Rachel Corrie, who, frustrated with protesting her own government's involvement in the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, joined with International Solidarity Movement volunteers in the Gaza Strip to activate change. On March 16th, 2003, she stood between an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bulldozer and a Palestinian's dwelling, in order to save it from becoming one of hundreds of piles of rubble that were once called "homes." The driver of the bulldozer proceeded to run over Corrie with the blade of the machine, dragging it over her forward, then -- not lifting it until it had finished the job -- dragging it back over her. Corrie suffered severely broken limbs and a crushed skull and died in hospital shortly after. She was 23 years old.

It is a tragedy that this young activist was brutally murdered by the Israeli government, and it is a sad fact that scores of young people continually die in the illegal occupation of Palestine, both Israeli and Palestinian. And while it is also sad that it often takes an American losing her or his life for others north of Mexico to take a closer look at the occupation it is just downright (predictably) disappointing that when Corrie's life, politics, and murder are turned into art, it is vehemently censored in both Canada and America...

Recently, the cowardly Canada Stage Company in Toronto caved in to "certain members" of their Board who were worried the play would offend and upset certain members of Toronto's Jewish community (as if there is one Jewish community). Let's not beat around the bush here, the "certain members" are bound to be of the conservative/rightwing/Zionist variety who also pressured theatre owners in New York City to back down in the face of political art (where the play was to have its debut, instead of where it was moved to, London). It was also recently cancelled/censored in Florida.

The play has received excellent reviews where it has managed to be performed, and Gina Whitfield reported today on infoshop.org that it has been selling out in Corrie's home town of Seattle. It seems that controversy follows this piece of art wherever it goes however, and as activist handed out pamphlets against the occupation to people in the line-up, Whitfield says that one bystander responded by saying she deserved to die because she blocked the bulldozer. The vitriol continued inside the theatre as well. Again, Whitfield reports:

The program for My Name is Rachel Corrie, incredibly, contains prominent advertisements that attempt to discredit the play. One from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle called “All the Rachels” claims that Corrie “fell in front of an Isreali Army Bulldozer” as she was trying to stop “an Isreali counter-terrorism operation”. The ad then goes on to list Israelis named Rachel who have been killed in suicide bombings. Further on in the program, a full-page ad warns audience members not to be “misled” because the play “does not tell the whole story,” and goes on to claim that Corrie was actually a member of an “extremist group”.

David Esbjornson, the Artistic Director of the theatre, has a letter in the program in which he explains his views on the play and the controversy surrounding it:

You may notice the advertisements that have been placed in the program attempting to discredit this play. Unfortunately, most who are critical of our decision to present My Name is Rachel Corrie have not seen the play…Buying ads in our theatre publication to denounce the work on our stage is unprecedented…Though deeply saddened by these actions, I acknowledge the rights of these groups to their free expression. Similarly, presenting My Name is Rachel Corrie is a form of free expression that we should embrace and protect.

One thing is certain, criticizing Israel and it's illegal occupation of Palestine is akin to criticizing the good 'ole USA these days: if you're critical it means that you're anti-semitic (or pro-terrorist/anti-patriotic, take your pick). Journalist Samer Elatrash puts it this way: "Not that I cared [about being accused of being anti-Semitic], overuse of the charge against pro-Palestinians had made it as banal as the porno money shot." The ultra-ultra right wing mental midgets in Yankee land have even put their own disgusting, hate-filled "art" online with a piece entitled Rachel "Road Kill" Corrie, proving once again that art is the weapon for not just the progressives out there.

And from Whitfield:

The purpose of art is to inspire us to be more than we are, to question our own assumptions or our entrenched ideas. My Name is Rachel Corrie certainly achieves this; it is an impassioned call to action. The depiction of her life forces the audience to question their assumptions about a young radical, who was in fact not dogmatic or hateful, but whose spirit was caring and who was desperately trying to find good and genuine beauty amidst a hideous conflict.

Let's hope that more people feel this way and are brave enough to have the conviction to back it up instead of caving in to pressure groups who would rather censor expression. For more on the play and the Zionist censorship, visit the International Socialist Online, for more on Rachel Corrie visit her tribute site, and for more on the International Solidarity Movement, go here. Finally, read the Guardian's review of the play.

Read the original story HERE!

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The new North American Union

A New America?

A Lou Dobbs segment on the North American

I would like to draw your attention today to the RRS news section, RRS MI, and the Religion section for the documentary by a British illusionist named Darren Brown. This film clearly shows how easy it is to convince people you are spiritually gifted.

Thanks for reading, if you have any comments or suggestions you can reach me directly HERE. Or on Myspace HERE.
Stay rational,
Jack
and the RRS MI team

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Click HERE to find your local affiliate!

Rational Response Squad News

Dumbass of the Day Award

RRS Michigan News

Local man tries to reach kids at risk of dropping out

Science News

Mathematicians Propose New Model for Cancer Growth Patterns Of Excitation Waves Found In Brain's Visual Processing Center Religion and the brain

Religion

An Outdated View: The Theory of Evolution (creationist crap) Derren Brown - Messiah (a universal de-bunking) Hate-crime arrests in Quran desecrations

Government

Impeach The Bastard! Video: Tillman evidence was destroyed Kucinich grills Rumsfeld on 'cover up' at Tillman hearing

Community

Atheist Blood Drive Unite! Henry Rollins tees off on Intelligent Design

Entertainment

Only Comedians can get away with telling the Truth Saint my ass! Hi there! I'm God!

Dumbass of the Day Award

Back by popular demand we have awarded another Dumbass of the Day Award. The first was given to a comment on our youtube channel. Now, we're awarding the prize to a blogger who has flipped reality upside down. We'll be addressing and dissecting his blog on our show Thursday night 8-11 PM EST.

Between the time this was written and the time it get's posted, the author of that blog has blocked all non-friends from veiwing it or commenting on it. It is, however, already up on this site, along with Sapients reply, that got deleted from the original. Check it our here:

http://www.rationalresponders.com/forum/rational_response_squad_alerts/rational_response_squad_alerts/9142

You can hang out with us anytime for our 24/7 radio stream free online. Join us on the website that myspace doesn't want you to know about S.T I.C K.A. M

Or join us here: http://www.rationalresponders.com/rrs_webcam_room

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Local man tries to reach kids at risk of dropping out

Check out Antonios profile on Myspace HERE!

I recieved this in a bulletin from Antonio and thought it was a worthy cause to promote!

Hey everyone, my father needs your help. My father recently retired from Detroit Public Schools and is in the process of becoming a motivational speaker for at risk students. His vision is to reduce the dropout rate nationwide. I am so incredibly proud of my father and I want to make sure that his idea and message makes its way across the nation.

You can see what he is all about by checking out this video below

Could you please click HERE to send an email to the producers of the Tyra Banks show. NOTE: When you contact the shows producers, there is an option to put your phone number in, this is totally optional. Although it might be helpful to have your phone number in there, and if they call you at some point, you can send me a message on myspace.

If you are not sure of what to send in the email, you can use this as a script (although I would rather you use your own words and write from the heart, as this will seem more credible):

"Hello my name is [your name], and I have come across a website by the name of www.atriskstoriesofhope.com. This website belongs to a person by the name of Hector Perez, a retired Detroit Public School teacher who is on a mission to reduce the dropout rate nationwide. I believe that he has a very important message and a way to reach at risk students across the nation. From what I can see from looking at the video on the front of his website, he was a high school dropout that overcame great obstacles to become a great teacher. He has mentored his students to rise to the occasion and to become success stories.

Also, I noticed that on his website he mentions that Nia Mora, who appeared on your show with her sister Naima, is going to be a part of their team that will be speaking to at risk students.

Here is a quote from his website:

"My former students must overcome the obstacles that confront them. Hopefully through a mentorship and graduation from high school and have a college chosen to be part of our team. They will have to meet certain criteria such as proof of outstanding community service or participation in an organization that serves at risk children or others."

I'm friends with his son, Antonio, who sent me an email asking me to help contact you guys, as he is very proud of the work that his father has been doing with his students

Thanks"

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Mathematicians Propose New Model for Cancer Growth

http://www.voanews.com/english/Science/2007-07-31-voa44.cfm

Mathematicians Propose New Model for Cancer Growth
By Adriana Salerno
31 July 2007

What do zebras, bacteria, and cancer have in common? They all can evolve in response to pressures in their environment. This simple biological fact inspired researchers from the University of California, Irvine, to study cancer in a new light. They used the tools of mathematics (rather than biology) to test a theory that that tumors change their mutation rate "intentionally" throughout their development, in order to grow as quickly as possible. This research was published in the Royal Society's journal Interface.

For some time now, laboratory scientists have known that cancer cells behave very differently from normal cells, constantly changing their genetic makeup. As Natalia Komarova explains, a normal human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes, "but if you look at the cancer cell it's a complete mess: some chromosomes are present only in one copy, some are missing, some are present in five or six or ten copies." This phenomenon of losing and gaining genetic material as cells divide is called genetic instability.

Komarova notes that everyone who studies cancer knows that genetic instability (and the mutations it causes) are important for cancer cells: cancer couldn't spread without it. It's not so clear why this mutation rate slows down in later stages of the tumor. She says that this has been observed experimentally, but researchers can't decide whether it's important for cancer growth or if it's just a side-effect of cancer.

To try to understand the process, Komarova and her colleagues turned to optimal control theory, a branch of mathematics used to determine the most efficient pathways, and they applied it to the mystery of cancer growth.

Their results showed that it was indeed advantageous for cancer to be highly genetically unstable in its earlier stages and to become more stable later on. "So it kind of pays off to change all the time," says the mathematician, "to lose chromosomes, to gain chromosomes, at the beginning; and then stop doing this and remain at the same level for the rest of the natural history of a tumor."

Natalia Komarova is a mathematician, not a medical researcher. But Dr. Andrew Pierce, of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, says her results make sense because they parallel what many living organisms do to thrive in their environment. He points to the way bacteria develop resistance against an antibiotic, "and so the idea is 'OK, my current genetic solution isn't a very good solution anymore, so let's mix it up and try a bunch of random stuff and see if something can be come up with randomly that just happens to work better.'"

Dr. Pierce explains that this fits with the current theories on evolution. He says that the stress from the environment is reduced once the right genetic mutation has been found. "It perfectly fits with their result", he concludes, "that now that a new solution has been acquired what you don't want to do is keep on messing with it, you know? If it's not broken, don't fix it."

Knowing the reason for a tumor's genetic instability, mathematician Komarova says, might affect the development of cancer treatment strategies. She explains that some treatments are mutogenic, that is, they make cells mutate. Chemotherapy, she says, is very mutogenic, and small molecule inhibitors are not.

Although her research is not at that point yet, Komarova says she would like to incorporate treatments and their mutogenic properties into her model.

She says mathematical tools can enhance medical research. Their work is not experimental notes Komarova, they don't work in a lab, but they believe that their work could help create theories for laboratory researchers. "We kind of provide ideas or explanations to the medical community", she adds.

Dr. Neal Meropol, from the Fox-Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, agrees that a multidisciplinary effort might help find the best alternatives. He says it's good that researchers from other disciplines, like mathematicians, are coming up with new ideas. "We are certainly learning the hard way," he says, "to some extent, through our failures, that a team approach to solving the cancer problem is required if we're going to achieve our holy grail of eliminating death from cancer in the future."

University of California mathematician Natalia Komarova hopes that her research will give the medical community food for thought during their quest for new approaches to fighting cancer.

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Patterns Of Excitation Waves Found In Brain's Visual Processing Center

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070731154917.htm

For The First Time, Patterns Of Excitation Waves Found In Brain's Visual Processing Center

Science Daily — Neuroscientists have long believed that vision is processed in the brain along circuits made up of neurons, similar to the way telephone signals are transferred through separate wires from one station to another. But scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that visual information is also processed in a different way, like propagating waves oscillating back and forth among brain areas.

“What we found is that signals pass through brain areas like progressive waves, back and forth, a little bit like what fans do at baseball games,” said the study’s corresponding author, Jian-young Wu, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown. Just as the stadium wave is coordinated and travels through the crowd, a collective pattern emerges from the activities of millions of neurons in the visual areas, he said, explaining, “It simply makes sense that brain function is the result of large numbers of neurons working together.”

This challenges longstanding notions about how the brain processes sensory information, Wu said. “One traditional model theorizes that neurons are hooked together into specific circuits. However, new imaging methods tell us that there are more than just circuits.”

Wu and his colleagues visualized wave-like patterns in the brain cortex using a new method called voltage sensitive dye imaging. They used a special dye that binds to the membrane of neurons and changes color when electrical potential passes along active neurons.

Traditionally, scientists have studied brain activity by placing electrodes in the brain and measuring the electrical currents that are related to neuronal activity. Because it is difficult to put many electrodes into the brain, the spatiotemporal pattern of the neuronal activity has long been ignored. “Now, with optical methods, we can watch sequential activation of different sectors of the visual cortex when the brain is processing sensory information," Wu said.

Wu believes wave patterns play an important role in initiating and organizing brain activity involving millions to billions of neurons. A few years ago, Wu's imaging group uncovered spiraling waves resembling little hurricanes in animal epilepsy models. Wu thinks that through this hurricane-like spiral pattern, a small area of damaged neural tissue can generate a powerful storm that invades large normal brain areas and starts a seizure attack. This hypothesis would mean that disorders such as epilepsy could be viewed not just as mis-wiring in the brain, but as an abnormal wave pattern that invades normal tissue.

Finding waves during visual processing is an important step toward understanding how the brain processes sensory information, explained Wu. This understanding has the potential to help scientists understand the abnormal waves that are generated in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, and how the mind fails when the brain of an Alzheimer’s disease patient cannot properly organize population neuronal activity, he said.

Wu believes that additional research is needed in order to understand both normal and abnormal waves in the human brain. “Understanding how the brain handles these waves will provide further insight into the functioning of one of the most complex systems in the universe,” he said.

These findings are published in the July 5 issue of the journal Neuron. The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Epilepsy Foundation, and Whitehall Foundation. Co-authors include Georgetown post-doctoral fellow Weifeng Xu and two Georgetown graduate students, Xiaoying Huang, and Kentaroh Takagaki.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Georgetown University Medical Center.

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Religion and the brain

In the first RR show, there is discussion about whether George Bush is stupid, misguided, or plain evil.

I just wanted to say that I think he is an idiot. That is the only thing that would explain his (non) reaction to the 911 news and the fact that he takes advice from someone who claims to be spiritually connected to a higher power.

Adam

Good day my fellow infidels! I would like to extend my invitation for content submissions! Firstly, I will be wanting your personal "deconversion" stories, if you're interested in sharing. If not, and you still have something you'd like to share that my spark some convo, or an article you've written, or an interesting personal story involving the battle for rationality, contact me! Even if you don't think it's interesting, somebody might, and I certainly will. If you feel so inclined, you may also enter your submission into the Rational Content Contest hosted here by the RRS! See the RRS News section for details! I will be posting these in a new section of this newsletter called the "Rational Response Column". I posted Kelly's story the other day, and today I have posted a blog that I wrote on my personal story when I first joined the RRS (yeah, yeah, shameless self promotion, so what?).

Also, today is an "Entertainment" heavy post, we can't be serious all the time!

Thanks for reading, if you have any comments or suggestions you can reach me directly HERE. Or on Myspace HERE.
Stay rational,
Jack
and the RRS MI team

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Click HERE to find your local affiliate!

Rational Response Squad News

The great big request for submissions WIN PRIZES!

RRS Michigan News

Science News

Evolution vs. Creationism: Listen to the Scientists Genomics Study Provides Insight Into The Evolution Of Unique Human Traits The Real 'Jaws' Now in 3-D

Religion

Evangelicals pray for Armageddon Tod Friel is a douche! Religion looms large over 2008 race

Government

Mike Gravel for President! Straightening out the Media Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel: "Eisenhower's Warning" Mike Gravel 30 second spot for CNN Taliban set new deadline as SKorean hostage killed

Community

Atheist Blood Drive Anyone who has wondered about Myspace cencorship WATCH THIS!

Entertainment

As The Palaces Burn (video and lyrics) Y.A.A.F.M. 12: Muslims Y.A.A.F.M. 11: SCIENTOLOGY Passion of the Bear Everything I learned, I learned from Family Guy Become an Atheist today! Operators are standing by Zombie Last Supper

Rational Response Column

My story

The great big request for submissions WIN PRIZES!

****UPDATE 7-22-07 CONTEST EXTENDED. GREYDON SQUARE CATEGORY ADDED. OTHER CHANGES AND PRIZES AWARDED. PLEASE REVIEW AGAIN AND SUBMIT SOMETHING!!!****

NOTE: DUE TO ERROR IN LINKS AND LOW SUBMISSIONS, THIS CONTEST HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MARCH 15TH, 2008.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION READ EVERYTHING FIRST, CLICK LINKS! COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS SHOULD BE POSTED PUBLICLY IN THIS THREAD FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PARTICIPANTS! PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THE INFORMATION OF THIS SUBMISSION DRIVE FREELY.

The Rational Response Squad is proud to announce a call to action for content submissisions. We have been blown away by the positive feedback we've received from the freethinking community. Thanks to everyone who has placed a banner, or our player on your website and helped spread the word in some manner. We've received many great written submissions of thoughts and views, but had no place to put them, so we've created a guideline to help you, help us. The categories in which we need submissions are listed below, send us your best material. Your writings will be added to our library of articles, essays, and debunkings. We're hoping to build one of the largest and diverse free libraries of rational thoughts on the internet. Please post everything publicly on our forum so it's there for all RRS members to access who are working on this project. In addition to hosting everything in a free web archive, we may also compile views into a free e-book or a book for sale to generate money for activist projects. Not that you need a reward to share your views with others, but as a thank you we'll be awarding prizes to as many of the top participants as we can. Prizes will be awarded based on effort put in and quality of writing.

We've put the categories in order of need and may alter the order later as submissions come in.
Prizes will be awarded MARCH 15TH, 2008, but you can continue to submit content well after MARCH 15TH, 2008.

For more info on this and other RRS sponsored contests go to the thread HERE

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Still working on the topic for the next RRS MI meeting. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it though, so contact me if you have anything to suggest!

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Evolution vs. Creationism: Listen to the Scientists

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Genomics Study Provides Insight Into The Evolution Of Unique Human Traits

Science Daily — Researchers from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, along with colleagues from Stanford University, report the results of a large-scale, genome-wide study to investigate gene copy number differences among ten primate species, including humans. The study provides an overview of genes and gene families that have undergone major copy number expansions and contractions in different primate lineages spanning approximately 60 million years of evolutionary time.

In the report, the scientists speculate how unique, lineage-specific gene copy number expansions and contractions in humans may underlie traits such as endurance running, higher cognitive function, and susceptibility genetic disease.

Primates first appeared on earth approximately 90 million years ago, and today, about 300 different species of primates exist. "One of the main genomic driving forces in primate evolution is gene duplication," explains Dr. James Sikela, Professor at the University of Colorado. "To our knowledge, this study is the most comprehensive assessment of gene copy number variation across human and non-human primate species so far."

To survey the differences in gene copy number among these species, Sikela and colleagues used DNA microarrays containing over 24,000 human genes to perform comparative genomic hybridization experiments. They compared DNA samples from humans to those of nine other primate species: chimpanzee, gorilla, bonobo, orangutan, gibbon, macaque, baboon, marmoset, and lemur. This allowed them to identify specific genes and gene families that, through evolutionary time, have undergone lineage-specific copy number gains and losses.

The authors of the report suggest that "many of the genes identified are likely to be important to lineage-specific traits found in humans and in the other primate lineages surveyed." To illustrate this potential, the scientists highlighted several gene families that exhibited striking lineage-specific differences. In particular, the human lineage-specific copy number expansion of a gene called AQP7 could explain why humans have evolved the capacity for endurance running. AQP7, or aquaporin 7, plays a role in transporting water and glycerol across membranes. Therefore, it may facilitate the mobilization of glycogen (energy) stores during long periods of intense exercise; it may also play a role in dissipating excess heat through sweating.

The scientists also found dramatic gene copy number differences potentially associated with cognition, reproduction, immune function, and susceptibility to genetic disease.

The work was supported by grants from the Butcher Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

About the article: The manuscript will be published online ahead of print on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Its full citation is as follows: Dumas L., Kim Y.H., Karimpour-Fard A., Cox M., Hopkins J., Pollack J.R., and Sikela J.M. 2007. Gene copy number variation spanning 60 million years of human and primate evolution. Genome Res. doi:10.1101/gr.6557307.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

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The Real 'Jaws' Now in 3-D

July 30, 2007 — With his head inside the mouth of a great white shark this week, biologist Daniel Huber is conducting the most thorough analysis ever attempted of the great white's bite, along with studies on feeding performance in tiger and bull sharks.

The nearly 8-foot-long great white died last September after becoming entangled in nets at Lakes Beach along Australia's Central Coast. Huber, a shark expert at the University of Tampa, and his colleagues are now dissecting the shark's jaws while simultaneously collecting data on the placement and strength of related muscles.

This information will be incorporated into a computer program based on a cat scan of the shark's skull in order to create a very accurate 3-D recreation of the great white bite. The process will be repeated for the other two sharks.

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The researchers are not yet sure which shark will prove to be the strongest biter, but Huber told Discovery News the great white probably will not wind up at the top of the list.

"The white has the narrowest head of the three, so it has less space for jaw muscles," he explained. "Consequently, we're expecting that it will have a lower bite force on a pound-for-pound basis."

According to wild animal specialist Jonathan Wright of the London Zoo, current estimates hold that the great white's biting force is around 3 tons per square centimeter. The 3-D model should help confirm or revise that estimate.

Huber said "ideas about shark bite force have been flawed for decades because no one has really taken the time to look into it." He said the force might be lower than the earlier estimates owing to the great white's "relatively simple muscle architecture."

Huber was quick to add, however, that the great white is "a perfect predator" and doesn't need to have the most powerful bite to take down prey.

"Much of the damage inflicted by white sharks is due to their teeth, and not necessarily to the force," he said.

The shark has around 3,000 serrated teeth at any one given time. To initiate a sawing action, the great white will often shake whatever it bites into from side to side. The flesh of the victim then shreds into chunks as big as 11 by 13 inches.

Huber said the study is important because it will provide scientists with "a detailed understanding of what major predators in the world are capable of. "Sharks are of particular interest, he said, because their skeletons are made of flexible cartilage and not hard bone.

He hopes the study will also lead to better shark-proof transoceanic cables and shark-proof meshes for lifeguards.

Stephen Wroe, a shark bite expert at the University of New South Wales, echoed Huber's hopes.

Wroe said the research "could help us design more effective protective equipment — for example, shark armor and shark cages."

Wright, however, does not need the 3-D data to justify the great white's standing as one of the world's foremost predators.

In fact, recalling the old fishing trivia question, "If a great white encountered a grizzly bear, which animal would win?" Wright thinks the great white would emerge victorious.

"The strength, biting power and speed of the shark in water would probably give it an advantage," he said.

He added, "While the bear could use its claws to punch the shark's nose or gouge out flesh, the shark's teeth are more powerful and, if either animal lost any of their teeth, the shark has lots of spare sets, while if an adult bear loses its teeth, these are lost forever."

Study Subject
A great white shark caught earlier this year unknowingly became the model for an experiment being conducted by an international team of scientists at the University of New South Wales. The researchers created a 3-D model of the shark's jaws and teeth to help understand the power and technique behind its bite.

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Evangelicals pray for Armageddon

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Tod Friel is a douche!