Images reveal ice cap, possible life on Mars\nFor years scientists have thought there was once water on Mars, The planet is, after all, most like Earth compared with all other planets in the solar system. But most scientists believed all water had long since evaporated from the surface -- leaving Mars dry and cold.\nThis has all changed.\nLast week, images from the $264 million European Space Agency's probe revealed a frozen sea near Mars' equator. The ice sea stretches for more than 500 miles long, about the size of the Earth's North Sea. Scientists said they believe the water originated beneath the surface of Mars, near a series of fractures known as the Cerberus Fossae. After the planet's core heated, the water gushed forth, flooding the planet. \nThese findings have many scientists questioning whether microscopic life also exists on Mars today.\nThe findings were revealed in a weeklong conference in the Netherlands last week. A poll of 250 participants at the conference revealed that 25 percent believe bacterial life might still be on the planet.\nFrom the images, some scientists are speculating there may be volcanic activity also present on Mars.\nIn light of these findings, scientists are calling for a follow-up mission to further investigate whether there is life on Mars.
U.S. border to re-open to Canadian cattle\nNearly two years after the United States banned importing cattle because of Canada's first case of mad cow disease in May 2003, the borders will open once again March 7. A team of experts last month determined cows from Canada no longer pose a threat to Americans. \nThe scientific term of mad cow disease is bovine spongiform encaphalopathy, or BSE. Humans who ingest BSE-contaminated meat contract a degenerative, fatal brain disorder called variant Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease.\nThe only cow ever to test positive for BSE in the United States in 2003 was imported from Canada.\nThe disease is said to spread through food fed to cattle that contains remnants of old cows. This type of feed, however, was banned in 1997. Although last month experts discovered two cows in Canada with mad cow disease, investigators said one of those cows was born before this particular type of feed was banned.\nOnly cattle younger than 30 months old will be allowed into the United States from Canada due to the belief that mad-cow infection grows with age.
Bloomington Hospital seeking volunteers\nBloomington Hospital Home Health and Hospice are searching for volunteers who are at least 18 years old and live in Bloomington or Greene County to help emotionally support terminally ill patients and their families. Tasks may include spending time with patients, running errands, grocery shopping, light cleaning or cooking. The hospital expects volunteers to commit three to 10 hours a week for at least one year.\nTraining for the volunteers will begin April 2 at locations in Bloomington and Bloomfield. More than 25 hours of training is necessary before volunteers are considered ready to fulfill their roles at the hospital.\nFor more information or to receive an application, call 353-9818 or \n1-800-575-5202.
