Teh interesting (non-PHL-related) news stub thread

[Twin-Skies]

New 'dracula' fish discovered

Zoologists say that the bones which hang down from the mouth of the miniature fish make it unique among the 3,700 known species of carp-like fishes, which lost their jaw teeth 50 million years ago.

The fish, which measures just over 16 millimetres in length, was discovered near Mogaung in Burma, the only place in the world it has been found.

Named after Count Dracula, from the Bram Stoker's novel, it is the only one of its kind to have bones which project through the skin, looking like real teeth.

Colourless and with a largely tanslucent body, the Danionella dracula is also missing more than 40 bones which would normally be found in the Cypriniform group of carp-like fishes.

Dr Ralf Britz, a zoologist at the Natural History Museum, in London, said: "This fish is one of the most extraordinary vertebrates discovered in the last few decades.

Roger and Gon attacking people, giant pythons that can swalllow you whole, and now a fish with fangs.

Mother Nature is one twisted lady

*Update on Brazil case*

Hmm, the doctor who was excommunicated is thanking the archbishop for the Church's decision.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americ....abortion/

A doctor excommunicated by the Catholic Church for performing an abortion on a 9-year-old rape victim received a standing ovation during a national convention on women's health, according to a local media report.

Archbishop Don Jose Cardoso Sobrinho excommunicated the doctors who performed the child's abortion.

The response came during the opening ceremony of an event hosted by Brazilian Minister of Health Jose Gomes Temporao.

The newspaper O Povo reported that Temporao called on the audience to acknowledge the "brilliant" work done by a medical team in the abortion, performed in Brazil's northeastern city of Recife...

...Dr. Olimpio Moraes, one of the doctors involved in the procedure, said he thanked the archbishop for his excommunication because the controversy sheds light on Brazil's restrictive abortion laws. He said women in Brazil's countryside are victimized by Brazil's ban on abortion.

Some of the doctors vowed to continue attending church services, despite being expelled.

"The fact that I was excommunicated will not keep me from going to Mass, praying, conversing with God, and asking him to illuminate me and my colleagues in our medical team to help us take care of people in similar cases," one doctor said.

TV Globo reported that the child, who is from a town outside Recife, has stayed in the city to recover and to escape media coverage. Her current condition is not known.

Martyred for the cause of human dignity indeed.

Bravo, doctor. Bravo.

That's how you stick it to the man!