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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Hell freezes
Last winter Hell did actually freeze over. Hell, Michigan, USA, that is. It recorded 86 days of below-freezing temperatures, which renders the cliché redundant.
sex ‘n’ smokes
New studies have shown that smoking cigarettes causes damage to almost all aspects of sexual, reproductive and child health. The study, by the British Medical Association, says smoking has caused impotence in 120,000 men aged 30-50. It is also responsible for up to 5000 miscarriages a year, reduces the chances of successful IVF, and is implicated in cases of cervical cancer.
politically correct extreme makeover
An Italian mayor, inspired by the Italian Prime Minister’s recent facelift, is offering to pay for cosmetic surgery for his councillors. He believes that in doing so they can better represent the image of their trendy Tuscan town, Mulazzo.
heads of hair
The use of "blank slate" stem cells could lead to a cure for baldness, new research suggests. These stem cells, not attributed to embryonic stem cells, are found in hair follicles, which regenerate, giving most humans a full head of hair. Scientists say that the new baldness cure is still years away.
clone worries
Scientists in South Korea, in a radical move against world opinion, have cloned 30 human embryos to obtain stem cells. Their aim is to use the cells to replace ones that have failed in patients with problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, and to also help advance technology available in generating non-rejectable, transplantable tissue. Much of the medical world agree that the development of stem cells may indeed create cures for many genetic diseases, but are wary of the technology being used to clone humans.
slip, slop, slurp
Scientists are trialling a "zinc cream" for fruit, which they hope will protect such sensitive fruit as avocados and apples from sunburn. This non-toxic, white clay-like substance is applied to the fruit by spraying it on orchard trees. "Surround," as it’s trademarked, also seems to boost yields and reduce the use of pesticides.
lost village
A Scottish village is changing its name of Lost to Lost Farm because souvenir hunters keep stealing its road signs. Seven signs—cost $A485 each—have been stolen in recent years.
a tenth planet?
The nine-planet solar system we learned about at school may indeed be proved incorrect since the discovery of a tenth planet dubbed Sedna. This new addition to our solar system orbits the sun every 10,500 years and may take the position Pluto held, as being the smallest planet. Scientists are still arguing as to whether Sedna qualifies as a planet, but astrological research shows it being orbited by a moon.
Signs Boss moves on
Although published in June, much of the editorial content of this issue of Signs of the Times was prepared under the watchful eye of departing editor Bruce Manners, who served as Signs editor for some 16 years, until March 31, 2004. He oversaw its transformation into its current format and style. He takes up a pastoral role at Avondale College, Cooranbong, NSW, in July.
“The Hymn That Has Consoled Millions” was featured in the Signs of the Times of June 1, 1967. The feature, written by Vincent Edwards, outlined the history of “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” by Sarah Flower Adams, a former actress, who died aged 43. Although many aspired to compose the music to it, it was Dr Lowell Mason whose tune “Bethany” stuck. It was his that was played aboard the sinking Titanic. “This is only one of many occassions when that great hymn lifted men’s souls,” wrote Edwards. Another great gospel hymn is “Precious Lord,” by Tommy Dorsey. Its story begins on page 7, continuing a tradition of inspirational stories begun 119 years ago in the Signs of the Times and Bible Echo, as it was then known.
Extract from Signs of the Times, June 2004.
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