Some 2.4 million Americans were diagnosed with tobacco-related cancer from 1999 to 2004, according to a massive new report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Almost half of those diagnosed suffered from lung and bronchial cancer, according to the CDC report.

The report, Surveillance for Cancers Associated with Tobacco Use --- United States, 1999—2004, represents the most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted, covering all types of tobacco-related cancers for more than 90 percent of the U.S. population.

"The data in this report provides additional, strong evidence of the serious harm related to tobacco," said Sherri Stewart, Ph.D., lead author of the study in a press release. "We've long known tobacco was associated with lung and laryngeal cancer, but this study gives us even greater clarity. The rates for these two cancers were highest in areas with the highest prevalence of tobacco use."

Those areas, according to the CDC, are mainly in the South, with Kentucky showing the highest rate of lung caner in both men and women. Kentucky also reported the highest percentage of smokers in the nation at 28.6 percent. The lowest smoking rates were found in the Western states of Utah (10.4%), California (18.5%) and Montana (18.5%).

Also See:
List of Organs Damaged by Smoking Expanded
Smoking Deaths Cost U.S. $92 Billion a Year (2005)

The entire U.S. population of red fire ants, which is... well, the only number bigger than the national debt, came from just nine to 20 very prolific queens in Mobile, Alabama, according to researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

A well-deserved member of the World Conservation Union's top 100 worst invasive alien species, the red fire ant is believed by USDA researchers to have first come to the U.S. from its native South America on board trading boats in mid-1930s. The painful pest now calls more than 320 million acres in several southern states and Puerto Rico home.

Besides their aggressive nature of swarming and delivering painfully dangerous stings to people and animals, fire ants build massive mounds and tunnels that cause millions of dollars in damage to plants, farm buildings and equipment every year.

Biological, or non-chemical control of the red fire ant continues to be a major area of research for the Agricultural Research Service.

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You know the breathtaking, unspoiled Andes Mountains of South America? Well take them in while you can folks, because the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says the Andes may contain vast undiscovered deposits of copper, molybdenum, gold and silver.

USGS estimates the Andes could hold as much as 750 million metric tons of copper, 20 million tons of molybdenum, 13,000 tons of gold and 250,000 tons of silver. So grab your picks and shovels or hydraulic mining systems and come on down.

While USGS notes that not all of this mineral booty is likely to be found and mined, the Andes copper deposits alone represent about 2.5 times the total undiscovered copper thought to be left in the United States. Copper is one of the most in-demand minerals in the U.S. today. And gold and silver, well, they’re gold and silver, dude!

Still trying to sell Americans on the idea of toting around a pocket full of $1 coins, the U.S. Mint will try even harder in four cities over the coming few months. Residents in Austin, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; and Charlotte, North Carolina will be courted with special events at local attractions, as well as full-blown media blitzes intended to make them aware of the benefits of regularly using the $1 coin.

"When each of us spends the $1 Coin, we make a difference for our country, because the $1 Coin is durable and using it saves the Nation money," said Mint Director Ed Moy in a press release. "We hope our pilot cities lead the change!"

According to the GAO, a circulating coin lasts about 30 years, compared to 17 months for a paper dollar. GAO has estimated that replacing all paper $1 bills with dollar coins would save taxpayers $522.2 million per year.

The $1 coin the mint will be pushing it its blitz is the Presidential $1 Coin series, the replacement for the Sacagawea Dollar. The mint stopped striking the Sacagawea Dollar in 2002, when supply far exceeded demand for the coin.

Also See:
Mint to Offer First Coin with Readable Braille
Court Confirms US Paper Money Must Help Blind