World's Tiniest Airline Seat 'Skyrider'- Discovered

A new airline seat, which is said to be the smallest, is set to be unveiled at a US aircraft show later this week.

The seat, dubbed as the 'Skyrider', is bent like a saddle, forces passengers to sit at an angle, with part of their weight taken on their legs, which are also tucked under the seat in front. It is expected that the Skyrider will allow just 23 inches of legroom, seven inches less than the average seat pitch of around 30 inches.

But it claims the seats, which are fractional overlapping of the passengers seating between rows, will amplify the number of seats in economy class without sacrificing passenger comfort.

The seats, designed by Italian aircraft seat design company Aviointeriors, were styled on saddles used by cowboys and will be contented for flight of between one to three hours.

The seat is similar to a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in it. The makers also claim that numerous airlines have expressed their interest in the seats, and should they plan to go ahead and install them the company would have to apply to aviation authorities for suitable certification.

The Skyrider is to make its introduction at the Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas conference in Long Beach, California and is styled on saddles used by cowboys in the Wild West the makers assert you can sit on a horse for long periods of time and not feel discomfort.

Several airlines have previously expressed an interest according to Dominique Menoud, director general of Aviointeriors Group: "We feel exceptionally confident that this concept will have great appeal to airlines for economic purposes." Passengers would forfeit less to sit in an area of the cabin installed with the seats.

West Nile Virus Claims Life Of Humans

Health officials say one new case of West Nile virus has been reported in Mississippi, bringing the state sum to five so far this year.

The Mississippi Department of Health said in a news release that the new casing occurred in an adult in Calhoun County. Earlier, two positive cases were reported in Leflore County with one each in Coahoma and Scott counties.

Health officials say there have been two optimistic West Nile Virus mosquito samples reported in Madison and Hancock counties.

Symptoms of West Nile virus may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle flaw or swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, infection can result in encephalitis or meningitis, which can direct to paralysis, coma and possibly death.

Fear Sparks Spotting ‘Killer Shrimps’ In Britain

Recently, reports surfaced that the “killer shrimp” Dikerogammarus villosus had been found in Britain by anglers at the Graftham Water reservoir in Cambridgeshire.

The shrimp eats a number of freshwater invertebrates with other shrimp, damselflies, small fish and water boatmen—all commonly found in Britain’s waters. It tends to insistently pursue its prey, often leaving it dead but uneaten. It is known to have caused the extinction of numerous other species in other areas.

Dikerogammarus villosus can grow up to 30 mm long and has usually inhabited the steppe region between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. It has been encroaching upon Western Europe for the past ten years via the Danube, scientists wonder.

An expert in Holland has now decisively identified the species.

Biologists are currently testing water to see how extensive the problem might be and what measures-need to be taken.

“We are overwhelmed that this shrimp has been found in Britain,” Dr. Paul Leinster, head of UK’s Environment Agency, told BBC.

Richard Benyon, the minister in charge of the natural environment, said: ‘I am particularly concerned to hear that this highly invasive species has been found in Britain.

D. villosus is a tremendously vicious predator, devouring invertebrates like native freshwater shrimp and even small fish. The BBC even says that the species often kills its victim and leaves it uneaten.

Ciaran Nelson from Anglian Water said: ‘We are asking all water users at Grafham to take the actions asked of them on-site. This includes checking their equipment for shrimp when they depart the water and removing any that they find. They should also ensure their equipment is methodically cleaned and dried before it is put into any other water. Subject to these controls, recreational activities on the reservoir can persist.’

European Parliament Adopts Restrictions On Animal Testing

Europe has banned the use of great apes in animal testing. After two years of debate on how to defend animals without scampering scientific research, the European Parliament has agreed to cut the number of animal tests in Europe and enforce stricter rules for animals used in research.

Under the legislation, experiments on great apes such as chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans are to be banned and strict limits set on the use of primates in general.

Members of the 27-nation bloc, which have two years to conform to the rules, also need ''to ensure that whenever an alternative method is available, this is used instead of animal testing''. But those favoring eradication of animal testing said the rules failed to go far enough.

Newborn Baby Found In Manila Airport Rubbish

Authorities at Manila airport in the Philippines have found a newborn baby in a waste bag apparently unloaded from a plane that landed in the city from the Middle East.

Security officials brought the baby boy, who was enclosed in blood and wrapped in tissue paper, to an airport clinic, where he was examined and fed. "After he was cleaned, he let off a soft cry," airport nurse Kate Calvo said. "He was healthy; his vital signs were okay according to our doctors."

A security executive noticed something moving in a rubbish bag that was reportedly unloaded from a Gulf Air plane that arrived from Bahrain and found the baby inside, an airport statement said. The baby was afterward handed to social workers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman said she was angered by what happened and has ordered police to search for the infant's mother, who could be illegally charged. "I was simply annoyed, no infant should be treated that way," Ms Soliman said.

She said the baby will be handed to the mother's family or put up for adoption.