The search for shadow life

This week's top stories from the web's No.1 science and technology news service 11 March 2009 Dear New Scientist Reader, welcome to the New Scientist newsletter. This week, we reveal how the Earth could soon host entirely new forms of life, why we might be wasting millions of dollars trying to "save" species that aren't actually endangered, and the stories of eight daring scientists who became their own test subjects... EDITOR'S CHOICE Valerie Jamieson, features editor Second Genesis: A New Start For Life On Earth We only know about one kind of terrestrial life, but that's about to change. Biologists may be close to discovering forms of life that evolved separately from the kind we're familiar with, thriving in a previously unsuspected "shadow biosphere"...MORE TOP STORIES Keep up with the latest from New Scientist with our Twitter feed Wildlife Red List may misdirect conservation efforts Genetic link to IQ stronger than thought Eight scientists who became their own guinea pigs Gallery: Six gadgets that could help green our lives Gravity ripples may reveal traces of supersymmetry Realistic avatars in the blink of an eye Life could have survived Earth's early pounding 'Theory of mind' could help explain belief in God Sea level rise could bust IPCC estimate Innovation: A clean start for green power AND FINALLY ... This week's Feedback reveals the advantages of motorway telepathy, why trampolining could cure osteoporosis (not really), and why it's important to microwave your condoms...MORE LAST WORD   ALL THE JOBS Why would a fish have hard, bony spheres on its backbone? Find out, in this week's Last Word column...MORE NEW SCIENTIST JOBS incorporating SCIENCEJOBS.COM Visit our job site for the latest in science, engineering and technology. TOP VIDEOS Vibrating chair lets users rock to the beat Sporty joint implants could go the distance OUR TOP BLOG POSTS Moving beyond the headlines on climate change Princely offering is a 'quack' remedy Last Word: Is fizzy water lighter than still? Computing 'Nobel' for code that underpins everyday life THIS WEEK'S PRINT EDITION FEATURES Seven ways to fool your sense of touch Tactile illusions provide useful clues to how the sense of touch works. In the first instalment of a two-part special, we have rounded up seven of the most baffling Gravity may venture where matter fears to tread If gravity can sneak into dimensions that are closed to us it might explain some puzzling cosmic anomalies, says Marcus Chown AC to DC: How the grid could go green Power lines stretching across continents would allow us to ditch fossil fuels for good - and prove Edison right about direct current in the process How people can think themselves sick Psychiatrist Simon Wessely believes illnesses like Gulf War and chronic fatigue syndromes are triggered by people's mindsets - but the people he's trying to help often don't agree NEWS Cyber attacks are a clear and present danger 'Nanoball' batteries could recharge car in minutes Blame the parents over kids' emissions SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER This newsletter has been sent to sekhargreen@gmail.com. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, you can unsubscribe by visiting: http://email.newscientist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/nBmHO0MZEo80zKw0DFkT0EP. © Copyright Reed Business Information Ltd. 2008 Disclaimer This message is intended only for the use of the person(s) (sekhargreen@gmail.com) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible. Reed Business Information Limited. Registered Office: Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5AS. Registered in England under Company No. 0151537