This week in European sciences -- week 32
 

Overview
The Guardian tells a hot summer tip how to cool rooms best and effective. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports on a EU study regarding mobile phone radiaton and the risk of cancer. Die Zeit shows how rapid prototyping may work with dental crowns. Also the SZ covers this August's unusual high temperature period in Europe in its editorial. Der Spiegel describes the salvage of car freighter "Tricolor" out of the Channel between Dover and Calais. The Guardian informs if and how weather may be manipulated.

EU study: mobile phone radiation may crack DNA chains

Citizens are afraid of, industry denies the possible influence on cancer by mobile phone radiation. A new EU study won't bring any new light into the debate but gives some arguments: As Helmut Filser uncovered (Süddeutsche Zeitung, August 7, 2003) researchers out of seven European countries came to the conclusion that mobile phone radiation may crack the double helix structure of DNA in cells. The damage may possibly cause cancer, but cells have an excellent repair apparatus. The defending mechanism is not yet fully understood. Thus, the study results in recommending further studies.
 

Süddeutsche Zeitung
August 7, 2003

The future is hot says Patrick Illinger in his editorial (Süddeutsche Zeitung, August 6, 2003). He focuses on the small temperature band between zero and around 30 degrees Celsius where people feel comfortable. Most people in Europe are not used to temperatures about 30°C for some weeks. But there is no significance that the high temperature stretch is correlated to climate change - in the same way like the flood of river Elbe in 2002. Climate research is mostly dependent on statistics and it is difficult to explain single events by it. But one remarkable result may be stressed: extreme events like draughts or floods are more likely in future. Beside reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and exploring hydrogen economy people and society have to adapt for future weather and climate conditions.
 

In December 2002 two freight ships collided in the Channel - one of both, the car transporter "Tricolor" sunk and set sea traffic in danger. Christian Wüst reports on the salvage of the wreck, that is sliced into nine pieces and thus carried away.
Two people died recently in a hospital in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany, by the bacteria legionella, 12 people got infected. Barbara Schmid and Caroline Schmidt show how the case has been uncovered, the concequences, what measures may be taken to protect patients and how dangerous legionella pneumophila is.
A geographer at George Mason University, USA, studies the glass fibre and data network of information society in USA and how vulnerable the lines are for manipulation and terrorist attack. Now intelligence agencies and company officials brought him to hide his findings from others.
Philip Bethge tells the story of formation of a new island in North Sea. Beside the seven islands of Ostfriesland, Germany, a new sand bank is building up. First green is visible.
 

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