http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/shorten/ en-us Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:31:01 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1894100/posts TUSTIN, Calif., Sept. 7, 2007 -- An amplified photon thruster that could potentially shorten the trip to Mars from six months to a week has reportedly attracted the attention of aerospace agencies and contractors. Young Bae, founder of the Bae Institute in Tustin, Calif., first demonstrated his photonic laser thruster (PLT), which he built with off-the-shelf components, in December. The demonstration produced a photon thrust of 35 µN and is scalable to achieve much greater thrust for future space missions, the institute said. Applications include highly precise satellite formation flying configurations for building large synthetic apertures in space for earth... Photonics.com News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1894100/posts#comment Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:31:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513751/posts Bearing sons 'can shorten mother's life' By Roger Highfield, Science Editor (Filed: 02/11/2005) Giving birth to and raising several sons could be bad for the long-term health of mothers but good for fathers, according to a study published today. Scientists suspect that having large families shortens a parent's lifespan, because the effects of reproduction and childcare can take their toll on health. However, in a society without good health care, sons could be especially costly for the mother for several reasons. They are, on average, born heavier and place more physical stresses on the body. They also raise levels of... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513751/posts#comment Wed, 2 Nov 2005 02:14:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/961577/posts SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy said Saturday that prison terms are too long and that he favors scrapping the practice of setting mandatory minimum sentences for some federal crimes. "Our resources are misspent, our punishments too severe, our sentences too long," Kennedy told the annual meeting of the American Bar Association, his remark met by long applause. "I can accept neither the necessity nor the wisdom of federal mandatory minimum sentences," Kennedy said. "In all too many cases, mandatory minimum sentences are unjust." Kennedy is a moderate conservative placed on the court by former President... associated press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/961577/posts#comment Sun, 10 Aug 2003 19:41:39 GMT