Archive for August 10th, 2008
Science close to unveiling invisible man
(Times Online): Invisibility devices, long the realm of science fiction and fantasy, have moved closer after scientists engineered a material that can bend visible light around objects. The breakthrough could lead to systems for rendering anything from people to large objects, such as tanks and ships, invisible to the eye – although this is still years off. Go to article
Sub to explore Cayman Trough
(BBC): Scientists are set to explore the world’s deepest undersea volcanoes, which lie 6km down in the Caribbean. Delving into uncharted waters to hunt for volcanic vents will be Autosub6000, Britain’s new autonomously controlled, robot submarine. Once found, the life, gas and sediment around the vents – the world’s hottest – will be sampled and catalogued. Go to article
Chief Magistrate Ramsey-Hale joins Rotary Sunrise
(CNS): Her Honour Margaret Ramsay-Hale has been appointed an Honorary member of Rotary Sunrise. She was introduced by past President Rosie Jamieson (left) and inducted by President Woody Foster (right). She joins almost 100 other members from Cayman (27 ladies) and 21 other countries. Rotary Sunrise was chartered in 2002 and meets for breakfast at the Grand Old House on Wednesday mornings. (Photo: Geoff Matthews)
The Neanderthal murder mystery
(The Independent): The mystery of what killed off the Neanderthals about 30,000 years ago comes a step closer to being solved with a study suggesting that they formed a tiny population that had been teetering on the brink of extinction. Neanderthals first appeared in Europe at least 300,000 years ago but they disappeared after the arrival of anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, who first arrived in Europe 50,000 years ago. Go to article
When Antarctica used to be green
(Mongabay.com): At one time an alpine lake was inhabited by mosses and diatoms; insects such as beetles and midges crawled among sparse ferns and various crustaceans lived amid the lake’s calm waters. This tundra-like landscape was the last stand of life in Antarctica, and it existed up to 14 million years ago before suddenly vanishing. Go to article
Forbes flies the flag
With a 14,000 man cast, watched by an estimated four billion viewers around the world, the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony has been described in the international press as the best in the history of the Olympics. Cayman’s own small team was privileged to be there and Ronald Forbes (left) from North Side, who will be competing in 110-meter hurdles, proudly carried the Cayman flag into the Bird’s Nest stadium.
Shaune Fraser (Left ) who competed on Sunday 10 August in the 200 metre freestyle, where he recorded a time of 1:48.60 in his heat, was unable to join the parade but the rest of the team was able to enjoy the incredible experience.
The ceremony, which covered ancient Chinese history and avoided the legacy of former Communist dictator Mao Zedong, was directed by acclaimed Chinese movie director Zhang Yimou. The performance, which began with thunderous drumming and, according to Reuters News agency, a chanting troupe intoned the Confucian proverb "Friends have come from afar, how happy we are".
A collection of flying acrobats recalled the grottos of Dunhuang; blue-robed oarsman enacted seafarers travelling between Southeast Asia and the coast of Fujian; dancers clacking bamboo props represented some of the oldest Chinese records, whose delicate brushstrokes are preserved on bamboo strips over 2,000 years old, and undulating grey blocks symbolized the printing blocks of ancient China that invented moveable type, which morphed into the Great Wall.
Children wearing the outfits of China’s 56 different ethnic groups carried the flag into the stadium, illustrating China’s claim to unite its diverse population under one nation and one party. As the climax approached, three astronauts "flew" through the stadium, before Li Ning, a three time gymnastic gold medallist, circled high above the heads of spectators to light the cauldron in a show-stopping, daredevil high-wire act.