Special Forces soldiers have neurological differences that make them less likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than the average soldier. A study of soldiers based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, found that Green Berets were much less likely to suffer symptoms of PTSD after a week of exercises that simulated being captured and interrogated by the enemy. The Green Berets produced more of a molecule called neuropeptide Y in their blood, which is produced by the body to help calm the brain in times of extreme stress.
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The U.S. plans to move its troops from Saudi Arabia to Iraq, after the war there. The new U.S. national security policy will promote democracy in the Middle East and launch an offensive against terrorists, as well as their state sponsors. “The Sept. 11 events have changed the U.S. attitude not only towards Iraq but the entire region, with which the U.S. has maintained friendly relations for a long period of time,” says a study by the United Arab Emirates. “The U.S. troops are expected to transfer all their military bases from Saudi Arabia to Iraq and control all oil fields so that it no longer needs Saudi crude oil. It is evident that some of the U.S. conservatives see Saudi Arabia as a threat similar to Iraq which must be faced.”
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A year ago, we reported that due to a severe winter storm, millions of Monarch butterflies were lying dead in piles more than a foot high in their winter reserve in Mexico. Now the New York Times of February 14 reports that they’ve recovered and are back to nearly normal numbers. This is a relief for those of us who love them and look forward to seeing them every spring.

“It’s more than a little surprising,” says biologist Bill Calvert. “It’s amazing that they recovered so well.” The Monarchs that winter in Mexico make up the entire breeding stock for the Midwest and Eastern U.S. and Canada. So far, they have not been put on the endangered species list.
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Satellites can pinpoint the location of graffiti taggers fast enough to catch them in the act. TaggerTrap is being tested in several California cities and uses cell phones and special sensors that recognize the ultrasonic hiss of spray cans. “The tagger, when he pushes down on that spray can, he’s calling police,” says George Lerg, of TrapTec. Then GPS finds the tagger’s location and the cops pick him up.
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