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Scientists believe they have cracked a long-standing mystery of evolution - how the turtle got its shell.

It follows the discovery in south west China last year of the oldest known turtle fossils, believed to date back 220 million years.

The three adult specimens were discovered remarkably intact and with characteristics never before seen in turtles - including teeth and an incomplete upper shell.

The world's oldest known turtle (above) dating back 220 million years has been unveiled by scientists. The new species forms a missing link between ancient terrestrial turtles and their modern, aquatic descendants (below)

The species was dubbed Odontochelys semistestacea, meaning toothed, half-shelled turtle.

Scientists from Canada, China and the US said the half-shell provided new evidence of how it evolved, Nature magazine has reported.

Dr Xiao-chun Wu, a palaeontologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, said: 'Since the 1800s, there have been many hypotheses about the origin of the turtle shell.

'Now we have these fossils of the earliest known turtle.

'They support the theory that the shell would have formed from below as extensions of the backbone and ribs, rather than as bony plates from the skin as others have theorised.'

This image shows an artist impression of Odontochelys semitestacea, an ancestral turtle from the Triassic of China

He believes the lower shell, known as the plastron, formed first followed by an outgrowth and broadening of the backbone and ribs to form the upper shell, or carapace.

This process corresponds with the shell formation seen in turtle embryos and hatchlings.

Dr Wu said: 'With Odontochelys, we now have clear fossil evidence of this process emerging in an adult.'

Dr Wu's student and lead author of the report, Chun Li, of the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, discovered the fossils in Guizhou province with the help of local farmers.

Scientists believe the lower shell, known as the plastron, formed first followed by an outgrowth and broadening of the backbone and ribs to form the upper shell

The competing theory of shell development was that it grew from bony plates on the skin which formed a kind of dermal armour, which then fused with the underlying ribs and backbone.

Until now, the oldest known turtle, discovered in Germany, dated to about 210 million years ago.

Because it already had a fully formed shell, scientists could not say how it developed.

But the authors said the new fossils show the theory of dermal armour is incorrect.

The team also concluded the earliest turtles were aquatic and not land-based, and that turtles as a group may have originated from water.

They said the presence of the lower shell would protect the swimming animal from predators below.

Dr Olivier Rieppel, of the Field Museum in Chicago, who also took part in the study, said although there was only a partial shell to protect its back, the under shell was fully formed, like modern-day turtles.

He said this suggested it was a water dweller.

'Reptiles living on the land have their bellies close to the ground with little exposure to danger.'

We've heard them, we've repeated them, and in some cases we even swear by them -- but do the household remedies we learned at Grandma's knee really work? The Good Housekeeping Research Institute staff put them to the test. Here, once and for all, are the surprising answers.

1. Hot water makes ice cubes faster than cold water - and makes clearer ice cubes, too.
Myth! In three trials in our food appliances lab, cold water always won the race. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute filled one tray with hot water and the other with cold, then recorded the time it took each to reach 32 degrees F. Every time, the cold water cubes froze faster. As for crystal-clear cubes, you'll have to get a professional, restaurant-style ice-cube-making machine, because neither hot nor cold water in regular ice cube trays will produce clear cubes, just the foggy ones you're used to.

2. Tomato juice will de-skunk the dog.
True! But it's not very practical, since you'll need a tremendous amount of juice after shampooing your dog - and we're not talking about a couple of small cans. Plus, you might also stain your pet's fur pink. Some vets swear by commercial de-skunking products like Skunk-Off. The Bobst Hospital of the Animal Medical Center in New York City recommends a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar diluted with 1 gallon of water. But Good Housekeeping veterinarian Holly Cheever says that nothing will get rid of skunk odors completely.

3. Baking soda deodorizes a refrigerator.
True! But only to an extent. The chemical properties in baking soda will neutralize unpleasant odors caused by sour milk, tuna or cabbage but won't make them disappear entirely. To test baking soda's effectiveness, our food appliances lab placed an open jar of chopped garlic in two refrigerators for two days. In the first fridge, they put an open box of baking soda and let it sit for 24 hours. Then, they put the Institute's noses into action. The sniffing testers noted that there was less odor in the refrigerator that contained the baking soda, but that the odor still existed.

4. Ink marks disappear when treated with hair spray.
True! But only in limited situations. The GH Research Institute's appliances and cleaning products department stained cotton, polyester and poly/cotton fabrics with three ballpoint ink stains. Then, aerosol hair spray and pump hair spray were used to attack the stains on each fabric. The results? Pump and aerosol hair sprays removed only the ink stains from all-polyester fabrics. The stains were lightened, but still visible, on the poly/cotton and cotton fabrics. And the fabrics sprayed with hair spray were left sticky and stiff. So if you try this remedy, be sure to launder the clothes afterward.

5. Toothpaste will remove stains from clothing.
Myth! This one is still a myth in our book. The GH Research Institute's appliances and cleaning products applied four stains (Italian dressing, tomato sauce, coffee with milk and sugar, and ballpoint ink) to two sets of cotton, polyester and poly/cotton fabric swatches. Fluoride toothpaste was applied to one set of each of the stains on each of the fabrics. Then the clothes were machine-laundered in warm water and line-dried. No toothpaste was applied to the control set, but it was laundered and line-dried as well. The toothpaste didn't give great results. Only the ink stain on the cotton fabric came out with the toothpaste. And if you give an ink-stained shirt a brisk brushing with toothpaste, you'll still have to launder out the white, pasty stuff. "It's an expensive and ineffective way to treat stains," says home-care director Carolyn Forte "Stick to regular prewash products." She recommends Shout and Spray 'n Wash.

6. An extra potato de-salts the soup.
Myth! "It's just amazing. This myth travels like wildfire on Internet cooking and food sites," says Carol Wapner, associate director of the GH nutrition lab. "But if you oversalt your soup, a potato won't really help you." The GH Research Institute's nutrition and chemistry departments ran a test, putting 2 teaspoons of salt in cream of asparagus soup instead of the 1/4 teaspoon required, and measured the sodium content. Then, a peeled and quartered russet potato was stirred in for 15 minutes. A subsequent analysis revealed that the sodium concentrations were virtually the same with and without the potato. If you've really oversalted your soup, add water, a little bit at a time, to dilute the salt level. Just don't forget to adjust the other seasonings as well.

7. Cold chamomile tea in the wash water will reduce shrinkage.
Myth! File this one under the myth category. The GH Research Institute's appliances and cleaning products department took two identical men's cotton T-shirts and thoroughly measured them. Both were hand-washed, one in a solution of hot water, a cup of cold chamomile tea and laundry detergent; the other without the tea. They were both rinsed in cold water. Then, they were rinsed in cold water and hung dry. The addition of the tea to the water didn't significantly reduce the overall shrinkage of the shirt.

Apple released a hefty update for the iPhone on Thursday night.

The 2.2 software update is available through iTunes, and it's packed with lots of goodies. Apple released its 2.1 software update in September.

Some of the highlights of the update center on GPS and Google Maps. For example, version 2.2 includes Google Street View in Google Maps, which allows users to see a 360-degree view of locations taken with cameras mounted on Google's cars. It also added walking directions in Google maps with information on public transportation stops.

In addition, the iPhone can now download podcasts over the air using a Wi-Fi or 3G network. Previously, users had to download podcasts into iTunes on their computers and then sync their files. Now iPhone users can also turn off the auto-correction on the virtual keyboard, which I must say is a nice alternative to allowing the iPhone to guess what you're trying to type.

Other improvements include a bug fix for scheduled e-mail fetching, improved stability and performance for the Safari Web browser, improved phone quality to reduce dropped calls (hooray!), and improved sound quality in visual voice mail messages.

But there are still lots of things missing--for example, cutting and pasting. And the iPhone still doesn't support MMS messaging nor does it have GPS turn-by-turn directions.

The Transporter is back! The good guy, bad guy Frank Martin is back in the third installment of the The Transporter chronicle. This film will continue the story of Frank Martin, a professional "transporter" who has relocated to Paris to continue his low-key business of delivering packages without questions. This time Frank Martin, still played by the sexy Jason Statham, was hired by a criminal mastermind Tarconi (played by Francois Berland) to go on a mission to deliver a “package”. Frank agree to do the job, or shall we say “mission” according to Tarconi, with one condition, he’ll going to use his Audi A8 car. From what I’ve seen from the trailer, Frank awakens to find a device (probably a bomb) around his wrist which is programmed to explode, if he steps more than 75 feet away from his vehicle. With Frank Martin now electronically rigged, he must complete his so-called mission or die.


The Transporter 3, promised an action-packed adventure just like what we saw in the previous two Transporter saga, maybe be even more. Rumors say that there will be more sexy scenes between Jason Statham and his leading lady Natalya Rudakova who played the role of Valentina. The official trailer release by Lionsgate speaks pretty well about the movie. The plot of the story is really quite intriguing and it has a lot cool movie lines. And what I love is the Jason Statham half-naked scenes… ;-)


The Transporter 3 is to be shown on major theaters world wide on November 26, 2008.

Scientists in Switzerland are reporting that bacteria in the human mouth play a role in creating the distinctive flavors of certain foods. They found that these bacteria actually produce food odors from odorless components of food, allowing people to fully savor fruits and vegetables.Their study is scheduled for the November 12 edition of the ACS bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

In the study, Christian Starkenmann and colleagues point out that some fruits and vegetables release characteristic odors only after being swallowed. While scientists have previously reported that volatile compounds produced from precursors found in these foods are responsible for this 'retroaromatic' effect, the details of this transformation were not understood.

To fill that knowledge gap, the scientists performed sensory tests on 30 trained panelists to evaluate the odor intensity of volatile compounds – known as thiols – that are released from odorless sulfur compounds found naturally in grapes, onions, and bell peppers.

When given samples of the odorless compounds, it took participants 20 to 30 seconds to perceive the aroma of the thiols – and this perception persisted for three minutes. The researchers also determined that the odorless compounds are transformed into the thiols by anaerobic bacteria residing in the mouth – causing the characteristic 'retroaromatic' effect.

"The mouth acts as a reactor, adding another dimension to odor perceptions," they explain. However, the authors conclude, it is saliva's ability to trap these free thiols that helps modulate the long-lasting flavors.

Even though comedian Bernie Mac died at the age of 50 of pneumonia this past August, he still stars in two movies opening this weekend. He not only plays opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the endearingly foul-mouthed tale of two washed-up singers in "Soul Men." But he also lends his voice to DreamWorks' animated movie "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa." Here's a look at other film stars who died before the release of their final films.

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight Though he died of an accidental drug overdose this past January, a full seven months before "The Dark Knight" opened, Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in Christopher Nolan's grim superhero blockbuster has already garnered Oscar talk. The Australian actor died while shooting Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," but a trio of other stars -- Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell -- stepped in to film the character's remaining scenes.

James Dean - Giant

James Dean - GiantDean was a mere 24 years old when he died in a car wreck in 1955. But in that short time, he starred in three movies and garnered two posthumous Oscar nominations, one for "East of Eden" and the other for "Giant."

Oliver Reed - Gladiator

Oliver Reed - GladiatorLegendary British actor Oliver Reed died of a heart attack during production of this epic sword and sandal flick. As a result, a number of his scenes had to be re-edited using a double, digital effects, and plenty of shadows.

Bruce Lee - Enter the Dragon

Bruce Lee - Enter the DragonBruce Lee died just three weeks before his breakout movie opened, killed suddenly by a cerebral edema. "Enter the Dragon" proved to be such a hit -- one of the most profitable movies of all time -- and there was such a demand for its departed star that Hong Kong soon started cranking out films with leads named Bruce Li, Bruce Lei, Brute Lee, and Lee Bruce.

Certain predicted technological revolutions are more myth than reality.

After all, TV phones and laserdiscs were hailed as the wave of the future and yet, despite influencing today's technology, they've gone by the wayside.

Social networking sites might have seemed as if they'd follow the same route, but all signs suggest they're here for the long haul.

Employers are checking job applicants' profiles on sites like Facebook, Brightfuse and LinkedIn, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey.

Twenty-two percent of employers say they use social networking sites when evaluating job candidates, and an additional 9 percent intend to do the same soon. Yet, only 16 percent of workers with social networking profiles have modified their pages with potential employers in mind.

What are they looking for?

Employers want to understand the candidates more and look beyond the resume.

"We can also learn a little about the candidate's culture fit and professionalism," says Kelly Vergara, executive director of human resources at digital marketing agency Resource Interactive. "We screen for culture above all else, so this is important."

Thirty-four percent of hiring managers chose not to hire a candidate based on what they found in profiles.

Controversial information, such as information about the candidate drinking or using drugs and inappropriate photographs, were the top reasons for dismissal. But job qualification was still a top priority, as evidence of poor communication skills, negative comments about a former employer and lies about qualification were the next most popular reasons not to hire someone.

Vergara and other hiring managers are also actively using these sites to seek out the right candidates. Of the hiring managers who use social networking sites for candidate research, 24 percent said profiles encouraged them to hire the job seekers. Forty percent of those hiring managers saw proof in the profiles that the employees were a good cultural fit.

"Our talent specialists post open positions on their Facebook [and LinkedIn pages]. Or if there is an upcoming career event, they will post on their profiles if they'll be there, and often individuals will reach out to meet in person."

If you want to use your profile to get hired or to at least keep your options open for a future job search, here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do update your profile regularly

"Keep your profile updated, even when you're not looking for a job," recommends Patrice-Anne Rutledge, author of "The Truth About Profiting from Social Networking." "Recruiters love to find top-notch passive job candidates and having a current profile can help you land your dream job when you least expect it."

Don't badmouth your current or previous employer

You know that griping about your current boss is a grave error during an interview, and it's just as detrimental on your profile. Give hiring managers the idea that eventually you'll be tarnishing their image if you part ways with the company and you'll be crossed of their lists of candidates.

Also, if you're currently employed, don't forget any confidentiality and conduct agreements you've signed, Vergara reminds. You don't want to violate your contract and end up jobless while you hunt for a new position.

Do join groups...selectively

One of the fun elements of networking sites is that you can connect with other people who share your same interests and have your quirky sense of humor. Thus you end up with virtual groups like "I Drink More Beer than Water."

The silly group might seem harmless enough to you, but for a hiring manager trying to find a mature candidate for an open position, it doesn't leave a great impression.

"No one is going to hire the consultant doing the keg stand or the lawyer that belongs to the anarchist forum," says Patricia Sanchez-Abril, an expert on privacy and networking sites and professor of business law at the University of Miami. Instead opt for groups that show your professional aspirations or social involvement, such as an organization for advertising professionals or the charity you volunteer at.

Don't mention your job search if you're still employed

If your boss knows you're on the lookout for a new job, then by all means let it be known. However, if you're attempting to keep your search below the radar, Vergara recommends restraint. Even if your boss isn't your online friend, somebody can get the information back to him or her.

Do go on the offensive

If you want to use your networking profile as a tool, review the pictures you've uploaded, the personal information you've disclosed and any personal blogs or sites you've linked to. Don't wait until you're interviewing to go back and clean up your profile because the hiring manager probably already had a look.

"Get rid of your digital dirt," says Rutledge. "A large percentage of recruiters 'Google' potential candidates to see what they can find out about them -- both the good and the bad. Be sure that you don't have any information on social networks or other sites that could make a recruiter decide to pass on you as a job candidate."

Don't forget others can see your friends

Unless you've opted to keep your friends list private, your friends can see the contacts you've made. So in addition to keeping your friends' risque pictures and comments off of your profile, be cautious about whom you friend and when.

"Connecting to five people at Company XYZ after a day of vacation is a sure sign you are interviewing," Vergara cautions.

Ultimately you need to remember that social networking profiles can mean potential bosses are evaluating you before you even apply for the job. You'd make sure to wear your best clothes to an interview, so polish your profile with the same care.

It seems a very long time ago, considering the barely-contained anticipation around new Bond movie "Quantum of Solace," that eyebrows were raised over Daniel Craig's initial casting as the super-cool spy.

Die-hard Bond fans, bloggers and critics worldwide couldn't map the rugged 40-year-old's bullish physicality onto suave James Bond, who's as famous for his sharp suits, womanizing and suggestive one-liners as for his espionage activities.

But no one was more astonished than Craig himself. "I never expected to be playing the part. That was the biggest surprise to me," he told CNN in London, where the new film premieres in Leicester Square Wednesday.

Craig, a self-confessed Bond fan, quickly quieted critics with the huge success of his first film, "Casino Royale." It pulled in $594 million worldwide, more than any previous Bond movie, and firmly established a new breed of Bond for the 21st century.

Craig's second outing as the super spy picks up where "Casino Royale" left off -- the first time there has been such a direct sequel in the 22 movies of the Bond series, something which critics say is one of the movie's major strengths.

Bond is seeking revenge after his lover, Vesper Lynd, is killed at the end of "Casino Royale."

British film critic James Christopher describes him as a "darker, more bare-knuckled" Bond than any of his suave predecessors.

For Craig, though, the challenge was to live up to earlier Bond movies: "The early movies changed the face of movies in the 60s, they went on location, they presented a style that has been adopted in movie making since then," he told CNN.

"I would like people to look at these movies in a few years and say 'Yeah, they stand up as good movies," he continued.

"Quantum of Solace" director Marc Forster was also daunted by the pressures of producing a follow-up to "Casino Royale."

"I was very hesitant at the beginning," the 39-year-old German revealed to CNN. "'Casino Royale' was so successful and expectations were so high that I felt like the pressure will be enormous."

Admittedly, with his previous films including a biopic of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, "Finding Neverland" and 2007's adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's bestselling novel, "The Kite Runner," he doesn't seem the immediate choice to direct the latest high-octane installment in the world's most famous spy franchise.

Possibly the key to the film's success is the close relationship rapidly established by the Forster and his leading man.

"Thankfully, we kind of met up and we just sort of clicked," Craig remembers, "We both had very similar ideas about what we wanted, similar taste in movies."

"It was different from any film I had made before," Forster told CNN. "I would work with an actor who had basically created the character already ... he would play the character and I would sort of come into his world," he continued.

MGM, the studio behind "Quantum of Solace," is obviously pleased with the results so far: they have signed Craig up for a further four movies.

An amazing image of a mammoth spider devouring a bird was taken in the backyard of a property near Cairns, Australia.

The image, which is being cirulated via e-mail worldwide, is real, according to wildlife experts, The Cairns Post reported.

The photo, believed to have been taken earlier this week, shows the spider clenching its legs around a lifeless bird trapped in a web at a property near Atherton, west of Cairns.

Joel Shakespeare, the head spider keeper at NSW's Australian Reptile Park, said the spider was a golden orb weaver.

"Normally they prey on large insects, it's unusual to see one eating a bird," he said. Shakepeare said he had seen golden orb weaver spiders as big as a human hand but the northern species in tropical areas were known to grow larger.

Shakespeare said the bird, a chestnut-breasted mannikin which appears frozen in an angel-like pose in the pictures, is likely to have flown into the web and got caught.

"It wouldn't eat the whole bird," he said.