Sherpa evolution

Scientists have long wondered why the sherpas of the Tibetan Highlands can negotiate with ease elevations that cause some humans to become life-threateningly ill. Tibetans live at altitudes of 13,000 feet, breathing air that has 40 percent less oxygen than is available at sea level, yet suffer very little mountain sickness. The reason, according to [...]

At cross purposes

Jesus may not have died nailed to the cross because there is no evidence that the Romans crucified prisoners two thousand years ago, a scholar has claimed. The legend of his execution is based on the traditions of the Christian church and artistic illustrations rather than antique texts, according to theologian Gunnar Samuelsson. He claims the [...]

Rogue and roaming, as rogues are wont to do

A rogue satellite is floating through space, threatening to push into another satellite’s orbit and interrupt cable TV programming in the United States. But the company that owns the satellite says they’ve known about the problem for more than a month and that the impact on cable TV will be minimal. Galaxy 15, a satellite [...]

Dam, that’s huge

OTTAWA – A Canadian ecologist has discovered the world’s largest beaver dam in a remote area of northern Alberta, an animal-made structure so large it is visible from space. Researcher Jean Thie said Wednesday he used satellite imagery and Google Earth software to locate the dam, which is about 850 metres (2,800 feet) long on the southern edge of Wood [...]

Dying in the age of advertising

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Aaron Jamison is dying from colon cancer and not wanting to leave his wife with bills after he’s gone, he sold ad space on his urn. “I’m 400 pounds, so there’s enough ashes to go around,” Aaron joked Wednesday. And joking around is what he knows, since he’s a comedian. His humor [...]

Weird, or just different?