by Bob Ladendorf
"Science News of the Year." Science News, Dec. 21 & 28, 1996, pp. 402-9. Presents highlights of the year in science in different fields. Also, the full text of the 1995-96 issues are available on CD-ROM. Call (800) 544-4565, or see: http://www.sciencenews.org/ for more information.
"Mexican psychic admits burial of skeleton to frame Salinas kin." Chicago Tribune, Feb. 3, 1997, p. 8. Associated Press news story about the arrest of psychic Francisca Zetina, who admitted planting the bones of a relative on the ranch of the brother of ex-President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. The scheme to frame Raul Salinas de Gortari for the murder of a politician involved Zetina and seven others. Salinas is currently in prison on charges for that murder.
"Vital Signs: Research." The State Journal-Register, Jan. 27, 1997, p. 13. A quotation from the University of California Wellness Letter refers to the National Research Council report concluding that electromagnetic forces (EMFs) do not cause cancer.
"An Astronomer’s Personal Statement on UFOs." Alan Hale. Skeptical Inquirer, March/April 1997, p. 29. An impassioned article by the co-discoverer of the Hale-Bopp comet provides a critical counterpoint to the pro-UFO believers. Hale emphasizes three basic principles when confronted with beliefs about UFOs and other paranormal phenomena:
Hale is "open to the possibility" of life in outer space and emphasizes that, as a scientist, he is prepared intellectually and emotionally to meet other life forms -- and would be ecstatic.
"But again, I want the direct evidence for their existence; I want the aliens themselves, " Hale says. " I don’t want to hear stories about some ‘thing’ that some person somewhere might have seem."
