| Really?: The Claim: Flying After Breast Cancer Surgery Can Cause Swelling Lymph nodes are often removed as treatment. The concern is that changes in cabin pressure might influence the movement of fluid in the lymphatic system. feeds.nytimes.com |
In praise of … the London plane | Editorial Autumn is the perfect season to take in the majesty of the ultimate urban treeIt is the ultimate urban tree. It thrives in soil in which almost nothing else will grow, puts up with air pollution and tolerates being cut back savagely to keep within its space. Its spreading branches and open canopy mean it endures high winds better than most. After the catastrophic 1987 storm, arboriculturists were delighted to find trees apparently beyond hope sprouting again. That same vigour means it can be repeatedly pollarded, although this is both costly and unnecessary. But if it can, it will grow to a stately 30m, casting a welcome dappled shade over sweaty commuters. Despite its name, the tree is equally at home in Paris or Istanbul as it is in London, and may even do better in the southern sun. Nor is it restricted to cities. The largest specimen in Britain, known as the Bryanston plane, is nearly 50m tall, while one planted in Ely by its bishop in 1680 has a girth of nine metres. The Ely specimen is one of the oldest known examples of this hybrid, which was created at some uncertain point in the 17th century, by cross-pollinating the oriental with the western plane. Hundreds were planted in London's new squares in the 18th and 19th centuries and there is no record, yet, of any of them succumbing to old age. At this time of year, those who walk down the long avenues beloved of the urban landscapers or live in their shade might be cursing the slow showers of lime and lemon-coloured leaves that are just starting to fall. The rest of us will look forward to the drama of their bare winter branches.PlantsLondonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Would you like to interview David Attenborough? The Observer is offering you the chance to put your questions to the respected naturalist and broadcasterDavid Attenborough is an OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, FZS, FSA – essentially, an honoured member of every smart, questing geographical society that has been quite staggered and delighted over the past 50 years to find this tireless, charming, courteous 84-year-old ambassador for the fascinators of the natural world doing their job for them better than they ever could.He and his crews have, essentially, given us an understanding of all the mad good bits of our world; and done so with a subtle mix of old wisdom and achingly cutting-edge new technology. If television had never been invented, this would be the stuff we wept at it never having been invented for.He also, in case you didn't know, saved BBC2. Appointed as controller when it was frankly moribund in the early 1960s, he introduced Call My Bluff, The Old Grey Whistle Test and, winningly, televised snooker. He also happens to have a fine older brother, as all the best people do. Richard "Dickie" Attenborough is one of the finest character actors ever.David, 84, is at it again next month, in First Life, with his beloved BBC Wildlife Unit, where he explores the lives of the world's very first animals. He has also agreed to take questions, from Observer readers, for an interview that will run next month. Straight questions, silly questions: all, apparently, welcome. Personally, I'd want to ask one stupid question, four semi-decent.1) Newton had his apple. Archimedes had his bath. Was there one perfect moment when, suddenly, you realised something?2) Animals or people: which do you prefer?3) Of which achievement are you most proud? Of which species are you most proud?4) What counts, for you, as boredom?5) In a fight between a shark and a gorilla and a GIANT locust, 7ft tall and all its muscles and stuff multiplied 8,000 times or whatever, who would win?I am beyond sure that you, our readers, can do better. Good luck, little duck. All the best, hornets' nest. Lucky dice, pretty mice. I'll shut up now. HOW YOU CAN PUT YOUR QUESTIONS TO DAVID ATTENBOROUGHQuestions should be sent to readers.newreview@observer.co.uk by the end of Tuesday 28 September or tweet them to @ObsNewReview BiologyTelevisionEuan Fergusonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Polar Bears, Commercial Aeroplanes and Viral Film Short-haul airplane flight coming up? Think it doesn't have much impact on our planet? Think again: short-haul flights do impact the climateAviation is the fastest growing cause of climate change, and this film reminds us that each flight that we make has an impact upon the environment. Plane Stupid's Polar Bear ad has been nominated for the Viral Video Award 2010. Out of 500 submissions, 20 were selected for the competition starting one week from today on Monday 18 October.Online voting will be open for one month, with the award ceremony taking place on November 19th within the 26th International Short Film Festival Berlin run by Interfilm Berlin. This is Plane Stupid's new cinema ad, written and commissioned by creative agency Mother, made by production company Rattling Stick and directed by Daniel Kleinman.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
[press release] New space research settles years of scientific debate New space research published this week (Thursday 21 October) in the journal Nature, has settled decades of scientific debate. Researchers from the University of California (UCLA) and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have found the final link between electrons trapped in space and the glow of light from the upper atmosphere known as the diffuse aurora. The research will help us understand &lsqu... antarctica.ac.uk |