Comets can Create Diamonds
A team of archaeologists and geologists conducted a study across North America, in which they discovered nanodiamonds in certain parts of soil. These nanodiamonds are produced under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions usually created by cosmic impacts.
The discovery of these nanodiamonds suggests that a comet exploded on or above North America nearly 13,000 years ago. This comet caused a climate change, which led to the extinction of several species of mammals. It also affected preshistoric humans causing a decline in population.
The heat from the impact likely melted a glacier that once covered the Great Lakes region and caused a massive flood down the Mississippi River.
Source: www.cnn.com
Tough Fruit Can Make a Tough Car
Researchers from Baylor University in Waco, Tx. have developed a way to use coconut husks in automotive interiors. Their current goal is to use coconut fibers to make trunk liners, floorboards and interior door covers on cars instead of synthetic fiber.
Coconuts are ideal for this job because they do not burn very well or give off toxic fumes, not to mention they are cheap. The researchers are trying to create a “viable market for the poor coconut farmer,” said Dr. Walter Bradley, a distinguished Professor of Engineering at Baylor, who is leading the project.
The Baylor researchers are now putting the coconuts through a series of tests to see if their fiber meets the necessary safety requirements.
Source: www.happynews.com
Pope Lifts Bishop’s Excommunication
Pope Benedict VXI has decided to lift the excommunication of British Bishop Richard Williamson who had denied that the Holocaust ever happened. Top German church officials, Jewish groups, and the head of the U.S. bishop’s conference were outraged by Williamson’s views. The Pope and his officials claim that he was not aware that Williamson had not retracted his comments about the Holocaust when he apologized for his controversial actions and belief. The recent controversy has shattered the idea of unity in the Church and brought up concerns as to how involved the Pope is with Church affairs.
Source: www.cnn.com
