Swimming through the Web

Google Inc. reported sharply lower fourth-quarter profits Thursday from bad investments, while its core business showed resilience amid the global recession.

The results, which beat analysts’ expectations, were enough to dispel investor concerns about how the company is weathering the gloomy economy. But at the same time, the earnings highlighted the fact that the Mountain View Internet leader isn’t immune from the downturn.

Google said fourth-quarter profit fell 68 percent to $382 million ($1.21 per share), from $1.2 billion ($3.79) a year ago. Much of the decline was attributed to a $1.09 billion charge for soured investments in wireless provider Clearwire and in the AOL Web portal, owned by Time Warner…..

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EVIDENCE has emerged of a possible cancer cluster next to the Queensland hatchery where bizarre double-headed fish embryos have been discovered. All four households backing on to Cooloothin Creek near the Noosa River-based Sunland Fish Hatchery and a large macadamia plantation have had a cancer death or a cancer diagnosis since fish deformities and deaths began about four years ago. Sunland Fish Hatchery foreman Bernard Gevers has just begun treatment for suspected bowel cancer. "When I see what’s happening with the fish hatchery and read about the chemicals being used, it leaves me with a very large suspicion it’s from agricultural chemicals," he said.

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MOTHERS nursing premature babies can halve the risk that their child will have significant developmental problems if they take fish oil supplements to fortify their breast milk.

A study involving hundreds of Australian babies from five hospitals nationwide has shown the frequency of mild mental delay in infants born weighing less than 1250 grams was cut by about 45per cent if their mothers took the   omega-3 supplements.

MOTHERS nursing premature babies can halve the risk that their child will have significant developmental problems if they take fish oil supplements to fortify their breast milk.

A study involving hundreds of Australian babies from five hospitals nationwide has shown the frequency of mild mental delay in infants born weighing less than 1250 grams was cut by about 45per cent if their mothers took the   omega-3 supplements.

The biggest benefits were seen in girls, where the rate of mild mental delay was cut by more than 55 per cent, and significant delay by 83 per cent.

Only a small improvement was seen in premature male babies — a gender difference the study’s authors could not readily explain.

Omega-3 fatty acid, also known as docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is essential for healthy brain and nervous system development. Babies born more than seven weeks’ premature are at high risk of developmental disorders and learning disabilities, as well as physical health problems.

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Free air: Active Travel is offering free return flights from Sydney to Ushuaia, Argentina, in conjunction with One Ocean Expeditions’ cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. A quick decision’s needed as the 18-night voyage departs on February 24. It was priced from $US12,990 ($18,360) a person, ex Ushuaia. More: 02) 9264 1231.

Crystal clear: Crystal Cruises has savings of up to $US1500 ($2110) a person on most 2009 European sailings. The offer applies to Penthouse accommodation, veranda staterooms and deluxe staterooms. More: crystalcruises.

Bali extras: Bali’s Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa has released a February-March special of three nights for the price of two in a one-bedroom villa. From $US730 ($1000) with breakfast and extras ranging from fresh fruit and flowers on arrival to massages for two; flights extra. Located close to Uluwatu, the resort’s villas come with private pools. More: dreamland-villas.

Cruise control: Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering a 15 per cent discount and free cabin upgrade on all Club and Gold Club Yasawa Island cruises booked by the end of February (for travel to August 31). The discount applies to three and four-day Club cruises and four and seven-day Gold Club trips. With the discount, two-night Club cruises start at $479 a person; flights extra. A daily fuel surcharge of about $20 a person also applies. More: bluelagooncruises.