Russia plans to send monkey to Mars

In a controversial announcement that is likely to cause quite a stir with animal rights groups the Russian space agency is planning to send a monkey on a trip to Mars during which time it will belooked after by a robot."A monkey may be sent to Mars, under plans unveiled by Russian scientists.

Although the ape will be looked after by a robot on the mission, the decision is expected to spark controversy with animal rights groups."

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Research disputes Maya collapse belief

New research on the Maya civilization which is believed to have collapsed due to its overuse of natural resources and slash-and-burn farming may have actually held a great appreciation forthe environment."For decades, the Maya �� and their descendents �� have gotten a bad rap from archaeologists, anthropologists, and other scholars who cite the ancient civilization"s agricultural practices for its eventual collapse.

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New book details Scotland abduction case

A new book by author Malcolm Robinson has shed new light on Scotland"s most enduring UFO mystery, the abduction of Garry Wood and Colin Wright from their car in West Lothian some 17 years ago."A remarkable new book explores the mysteriousworld of UFO sightings in Scotland and tells in full detail the country"s first reported case of alien abduction.

Author and investigator Malcolm Robinson probed the incident which took place as friends Garry Wood and Colin Wright, now 46 and 42, were driving to the village of Tarbrax, West Lothian 17 yearsago."

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Scientists claim dark matter discovery

Dark matter is thought to account for three-quarters of the matter in the universe but to date has never been directly observed. Now scientists are claiming a breakthrough discovery ofactual dark matter in a mine half a mile underground."For 80 years, it has eluded the finest minds in science.

But tonight it appeared that the hunt may be over for dark matter, the mysterious and invisible substance that accounts for three-quarters ofthe matter in the universe."

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"Angels unable to fly" say scientists

A leading biologist has stated that the angels, fairies and other winged sprites of nativity and folklore are anatomically flawed and would never be able to fly despite having feathered wingssprouting from their backs."Angels depicted heralding the birth of Jesus in nativity scenes across the world are anatomically flawed, according to a scientist who claims they would never be able to fly.

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Brussels sprouts ice-cream, anyone?

Two mothers in Doncaster are doing their bit for the festive season by releasing a recipe book dedicated to providing new ways to cook and prepare everyone"s favourite flatulence-inducing Christmas vegetable - the brussel sprout."You may detest them steamed, boiled or even panfried with pancetta.

But perhaps you"ll take to sprouts if they are frozen and served in a cone. That is the plan cooked up by two mothers who are trying to make Brussels sprouts more popular."

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Under the vast ice sheets of Antarctica there exists an extensive mountain range entirely encompassed in the ice. Now an international team of scientists who have surveyed the areahave released a first glimpse of their results."Scientists who mapped one of the most enigmatic mountain ranges on Earth have given a first glimpse of their data.

An international team spent two months in 2008/9 surveying the Gamburtsevs in Antarctica- a series of peaks totally buried under the ice cap. "

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First Jesus-era house found in Nazareth

Archaeologists have unveiled the discovery of the first-known house in Nazareth that can be dated back to the time of Jesus. The find provides a tantalising glimpse in to what the area could have been like at the time Jesus was achild."Days before Christmas, archaeologists on Monday unveiled what they said were the remains of the first dwelling in Nazareth that can be dated back to the time of Jesus � a find that could shed new light on what the hamlet was like during the period the New Testament says Jesus lived there as aboy."

View: The European Space Agency has been given the final go-ahead to undertake new missions to explore Mars including an orbiter to be launched in 2016 and a rover that will explore the Martian surface in 2018."Member-states of theEuropean Space Agency (Esa) have given final approval to revised plans to explore Mars.

There have been protracted discussions on what Europe could do at the Red Planet and how much it might cost. The Council of Esa has given the green light to a two-mission endeavour that would see the launch of anorbiter in 2016 and a rover in 2018."

Colored balls and tinsel might be regular adornments for Christmas trees this festive season but residents in Anchorage are being asked to keep an eye out for live frogs that have beenturning up in trees sold in the area."Forget the plastic icicles, brightly colored balls and tinsel.

Some Christmas trees for sale in the Anchorage area are adorned with something truly different this holiday season � live Pacific Chorusfrogs."

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