Many parents are still divided over a new vaccine that can provide protection against human papillomavirus, or HPV, a very common sexually transmitted disease that is linked to cervical cancer and genital warts. Some parents caution that the vaccine, called Gardasil, will encourage sexual activity. Others wonder how effective the new vaccine is, and if it can protect against all types of HPV.

The M 7.6 West Java earthquake on August 8 was detected, located and sized after only 4 minutes and 38 seconds by the German Tsunami Early Warning System currently under construction in Indonesia. The location of the earthquake had been established after just 2 minutes and 11 seconds. For comparison: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii published the location and magnitude of this earthquake after about 17 minutes.