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New monster planet 'could float on water'

Astronomers have found what they say is the largest planet ever discovered in the universe, so big that it is baffling scientists and so light that it could theoretically float on water.

The new planet, TrES-4, is located 1,435 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Hercules.

The planet is a gas giant, like Jupiter, but it is much hotter and lighter, and about 70 per cent larger.

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Embryonic stem cell lines aren't all equal

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have discovered significant variations between neurons from two embryonic stem cell lines, suggesting not all such cell lines are equal.

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Teacher-Astronaut Prepares for Liftoff

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Flashing a big smile, teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan boarded space shuttle Endeavour on Wednesday for liftoff on a mission she hopes will realize the unfulfilled dreams of her predecessor, Christa McAuliffe.

Good weather was forecast for the planned early evening launch.

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'Baby Einstein': a bright idea?

Parents hoping to raise baby Einsteins by using infant educational videos are actually creating baby Homer Simpsons, according to a new study released today.

For every hour a day that babies 8 to 16 months old were shown such popular series as "Brainy Baby" or "Baby Einstein," they knew six to eight fewer words than other children, the study found.

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Scientists revive life frozen in Antarctic

Scientists have recovered microorganisms from ancient Antarctic ice and coaxed it back to life in the lab, according to a study published today.

The glacial ice acted as a "gene Popsicle," preserving DNA that hasn't circulated in the gene pool for up to 8 million years.

If warming melts the glaciers, the DNA could fuel a new wave of bacterial evolution, the researchers reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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