Today’s physics news: Monday, 8 November 2010

 A round up of today’s physics news: Government to rethink immigration cap on scientists, UK space earnings now at £7.5bn, Large Hadron Collider creates ‘mini Big Bang’ with lead ions and more.

Government to rethink immigration cap on scientists
Ministers are considering asking learned societies to sponsor visa applications from senior professors and rising young stars after concerns that tighter controls could harm British science.
Times

UK space earnings now at £7.5bn
UK space companies have defied the recession, growing by an average of 10% a year from 2007.
BBC 
 
Large Hadron Collider creates ‘mini Big Bang’ with lead ions
The Large Hadron Collider has succeeded in recreating a miniature version of the Big Bang by smashing stripped-down lead atoms together.
Telegraph 
 
Obama’s dream of Mars at risk from radiation
Higher levels of space radiation between 2020 and 2040 could endanger US President Barack Obama’s vision for a manned mission to Mars, according to a NASA scientist.
Physics World

Fuel tank crack is latest of shuttle Discovery’s woes
It was supposed to be in space by now, part way through its final mission. Instead the space shuttle Discovery is grounded until 30 November and NASA is evaluating a worrying crack that has formed in the foam insulation on its fuel tank.
New Scientist