Free Republic

<p>President Bush's proposal to set up a research base on the moon as a first step to traveling to Mars and beyond is a perplexing mixture of necessary and hardheaded rethinking of government's role in space - and empty opportunism. Unfortunately, the proposal doesn't move beyond an attempt to give the National Aeronautics and Space Administration the real sense of purpose it has lacked for upwards of 30 years to serious thinking about what could make space exploration a sustainable activity.</p>

Timid people 'more prone to early death' Shyness may help to shorten a person's lifespan, according to findings from a new animal study. Scientists found that rats with a fear of anything new were far more likely to die early from cancer than less timid individuals. Animals identified as "neophobic" had a 60% greater chance of dying at any one time. They also produced a greater surge of stress hormones when placed in an "exploration arena" containing unfamiliar objects. Scientists say an almost identical hormone response is seen in children that are shy, inhibited and fearful. Such behaviour is characteristic...