BO'S PAGE

T. ReXCeLLent!

(First published in Muse September 2002)

Some paleontologists now believe that the fearsome T. rex played an extremely early variation of chess. As unlikely as this sounds, it does explain those little tiny arms.

HEAVY ICE

(April 2003)

Scientists working in Antarctica have discovered a new form of ice. Unlike normal ice it is heavier than water, not lighter. They hadn't noticed heavy ice before because lakes where it forms freeze from the bottom up.

CLiFFHAnGeR

(July/August 2003)

If you stayed awake in science, you may have heard that the continents sit atop big slabs of rock (plates) floating on the hot rock in the Earth's mantle. Scientists recently discovered that the mantle rock is becoming denser. Over the long term, this will mean that the plates will begin to ride higher, just as boats float higher in salt water than in fresh. Some geologists worry the plates will rise so high there will be 400-kilometer cliffs at their edges.

FAVORABLe ALiGnment

(September 2003)

Sarta de Mentiras, a Spanish astronomer, has announced that a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event will occur on September 30 at 8:30 AM. The planet Pluto will pass behind Jupiter, and this alignment of the planets will temporarily counteract Earth's gravitational field. The effect should be large enough that if you jump into the air at that moment, you'll float toward the ceiling rather than land with a thud.

MiStAKe FOUnD

(February 2003)

In November the National Academy of Sciences warned the public that an error had been discovered in a physical sciences textbook commonly used in middle schools. Hydrogen was said to be heavier than air, not lighter. It is the first error ever found in a middle-school textbook, a spokesman for the Academy said.

HOt PePPeR

(November/December 2003)

Scientists at the Capsaicin Research Institute in California recently announced they have duplicated genes that control energy use in chili-pepper plants. The scientists inserted extra copies of the genes in the plants' chromosomes. To their surprise, plants with the souped-up chromosomes were warm, even hot, to the touch. Several of them put out enough heat to keep a small room cozy. And one sprig was enough to warm a cup of tea. The institute hopes to have this attractive and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels ready for market within the next year.

The true story is "Stretching the Truth." By the way, people actually believed many of the fake factoids. One teacher who read "Favorable Alignment" wrote Muse an annoyed letter after learning that her seventh-grader students would not get to float to the ceiling during her lesson.

All of these were written by editor Diana Lutz, who swears they are the only lies she has told in her life.

ALien EARtHWORmS

(March 2003)

Earthworms have joined the long and growing list of species threatened by an aggressive invasive species. The invading worms are much larger than the native ones, are attracted to noise, and have teeth. Some scientists believe the material they excrete may extend human life; it also has the odd side effect of turning eyes blue.

StRetCHinG tHe

(January 2003)

Yet another study has shown that, contrary to popular opinion, stretching before exercise does not prevent soreness or reduce muscle injury. Tell that to the coach-but don't expect her to believe you.

WiReLeSS POWeR

(October 2003)

You've heard of wireless communication? Now there's wireless power transmission. The system, called Unplugged, lets you run any appliance in your home without plugging it in. How does it work? You plug a high-efficiency power transmitter into a normal socket. It broadcasts power-on a now unused frequency-to high-efficiency receivers on your appliances. One problem: you wouldn't want to accidentally sit on the remote.

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