Millions of baby spiders drift across Rome and sky
A strange epidemic of 590 AD, linked to Pope Gregory I, prompted the blessing refrain Dio ti benedica as millions of young spiders spun silk and rode wind currents. Silk strands drifted from up to 2000 feet, sticking to windows, cars, and buildings, with pilots reporting skyward cobwebs well offshore. Renowned enzymologist Deane P. Furman explained the mass migration as a natural defense against cannibalism, spiders launching silk from spinnerets to ride air currents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gregory I
Rome
Deane P. Furman
University of California
Natural gas remains cheapest fuel into early 1980s
Washington report notes experts expect natural gas to stay cheaper for home heating than oil or electricity for several years. The price advantage stems from the ongoing phasing of deregulation and the pricing formula debated by Congress, with newly produced gas cited as a key factor in lower residential costs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harry B. Ellis
Washington
Congress
Senate
American Gas Association
AGA
New England
New
Gas price shift aims to tax big users over time
Congress considers a reform to deregulate gas pricing and shift the main burden of higher costs to industrial users after years. Current prices show residential gas at $1.98 per thousand cubic feet, oil equivalent at $3.30, and all electric homes at $10.11, with gradual convergence to oil levels expected.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Boston
Carter
Animals auctioned at zoo closing in West Texas
Noah's Ark Zoo near Lubbock plans to auction its herd of exotic animals as the facility closes after a year of operation. About 25 animals remain, including a Himalayan pair of bears, a chimpanzee named Tammy, a dromedary, llama, ostrich, various monkeys and birds. Buyers must prove they can care for them. proceeds from donated iron cabs will fund electrical wheelchairs at a state school.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lubbock, Tex
Texas
Montgomery
Acros
Ken Draper
Lron
Lubbock State School
Travis Butler
Smoking linked to higher miscarriage risk in study
A New England Journal of Medicine study of 574 women in New York City hospitals finds smoking during pregnancy nearly doubles the risk of spontaneous abortion compared with women delivering at least 28 weeks. Researchers note 41 percent of miscarriage cases smoked versus 28 percent of controls, with an odds ratio of 1.8, after accounting for age and prior abortions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
UPI
New England Journal of Medicine
New York City
Jennie Kline
Columbia University School of Public Health
Zena A. Stein
Mervyn Susser
Dorothy Warburton
Also Mentioned on This Page
Paul Tunison
Berkeley
Calif
San Francisco Bay Area
Tammy
U.S
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Secretary of Energy
James R. Schlesinger
Supreme Court
Christian Science Publishing Society
Blondie
Chic Young
Hagar the
Luigi
By Charles Schulz
Dik Browne
Johnny Hart
Shirley
Monument Plaza Shopping Center
Bes
Bennington, Vermont
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