Health & Science briefs
West Nile deaths hit record in U.S.
U.S. health officials say last year was the worst ever for West Nile virus deaths.
The final tally reported Monday was 286 deaths - or two more than the record set in 2002. But there were far fewer illnesses overall, and fewer serious cases than in previous years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had predicted it would be a bad year because of weather conditions that promote breeding of the mosquitoes that spread the virus to people.
The CDC report showed Texas had nearly a third of the serious cases, and about a third of the deaths.
West Nile virus was first diagnosed in Uganda in 1937, but no cases were reported in the U.S. until 1999.
Latest solar flare strongest of 2013
The sun has fired off a massive flare, the strongest solar eruption this year.
The powerful flare occurred Sunday and erupted on the side of the sun not facing Earth. While the planet was not hit with radiation, space weather forecasters say the solar blast briefly disrupted high-frequency radio signals.
Solar outbursts that are directed at Earth can affect communications systems and power grids and also produce colorful auroras.
NASA said radiation from the latest flare may stream toward two of its spacecraft, including the Spitzer Space Telescope. Engineers have the option to put them in safe mode to protect instruments from getting fried.
The side of the sun where Sunday's eruption occurred will rotate into Earth's view soon, allowing scientists to study the active region.
Township intends to regulate bamboo
The Upper Darby, Pa., Township Council has introduced an ordinance to ban and regulate bamboo.
"Bamboo is taking over the township," 5th District Councilwoman Colleen Marsini said when council approved searching for a suitable ordinance in November.
Ms. Marsini said numerous residents called to complain about bamboo growing in a neighbor's yard and spreading into their yards.
"It cracks cement sidewalks and takes over," Ms. Marsini said. "It's overpowering. Once the ordinance is adopted, residents will not be able to plant new bamboo, and any bamboo on their property has to be cut back."
Big-headed ant intercepted at port
Officials at the Port of Charleston, S.C., have intercepted a dangerous intruder.
Customs representatives said they found what is known as the big-headed ant and other insects in a container of aluminum scrap metal on a ship from Costa Rica.
Customs office spokesman Steve Switzer said the ant eats native plants and other insects. It has been known to also eat irrigation pipes, telephone cables and electrical wires.
Mr. Switzer said the big-headed ant can lead to extinction of other species.
Cold weather tied to sick sea turtles
Staff members at the Marine Science Center in Volusia County, Fla., have treated almost as many sick sea turtles this year as they did all of last year.
Wildlife officials said an extended period of cold weather is one theory. In fact, they say higher numbers of stranded sea turtles have been found on beaches from central Florida to southern Georgia. Many are chronically ill and suffer from a variety of infections.
The strandings could be caused by an unusually long period of cold weather that stretched into the spring.
"That's the working hypothesis," said Allen Foley, a sea turtle biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.