METRO Thursday, December 17, 2009 D President Mary McAleese, Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, visits the canteen after watching Chad-bound troops from the 102 infantry Battalion in the Glen of Imaal prepare during their mission readiness exercise Picture: PA Butter or mayo? If you have a story for MiniCosm please e-mail us at Cosm@ukmetro.co.uk Do you have a science story? E-mail us at news@metroireland.ie beetle mania: A beetle that can survive temperatures of minus-73C could hold the key to a new type of antifreeze. The Upis beetle produces the molecule xylo- mannan, containing little or no protein, and which stops ice forming on cells in extreme temperatures. It seems paradoxical that we find an antifreeze molecule in an organism that wants to freeze and thats adapted to freezing, said Prof Brian Barnes at Alaska University. jaw-dropping: The ferocity of dinosaurs may have helped cause their extinction, a study claims. Many had a flesh- eating bug in their mouths. Jaw- bones on many fossils showed deterioration consistent with an infection similar to one which plagues doves, pigeons and turkeys today. The parasite can cause ulcers so severe that the host starves to death, said experts at Australias Queensland Institute. planet surf: A steamy waterworld six times bigger than the Earth has been found orbiting a small faint star 40 light years away. The planet is too hot to sustain Earth-type life, but could consist of 75 per cent water. Although its parent star is 3,000 times less bright than the Sun, the planet, which was discovered circling the star GJ1214, has a surface temperature of 200C. By STEPHEN MULKEARN tV channels compete with live tV adverts TV3 and RT are going head-to-head in an attempt to broadcast live ad- vertisements. RT has revealed that Guinness is producing a live advert to be aired at 17.59pm on New Years Eve to mark the end of its 250th anni- versary celebrations. The 60-second film will feature a re-creation of Arthur Guinnesss signa- ture of the 9,000-year lease on the St Jamess Gate site on New Years Eve 1759. But producers at RT are remaining tight-lipped about the exact content of the advert. Meanwhile, TV3 is to air a live ad- vert on Christmas Day for Denny, featuring an Irish household. The broadcast will air live during the ad break of Coronation Street. Its a very natural step for Denny as our advertising is based on using real people with no scripts, just genuine and authentic situations, said Den- nys Tricia Burke. We want the pub- lic to give us a taste of their home on such an important day. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html