The experimental and theoretical status of the ''near perfect fluid'' at RHIC is discussed. While the hydrodynamic paradigm for understanding collisions at RHIC is well established, there remain many important open questions to address in order to understand its relevance and scope. It is also a crucial issue to understand how the early equilibration is achieved, requiring insight into the active degrees of freedom at early times.

The collisions of two beams of heavy-ion particles, atoms stripped of their electrons, speeding around BNL's immense Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) have long been expected to create a "quark-gluon plasma" in which the quarks and gluons that make up the protons and neutrons in the ions would move freely in a plasma-like system. But the final particles, detectable in the four experiments placed around the RHIC ring, tend to hide information about the earlier, hotter stage. So it is a challenge to elucidate the nature of the primordial system. What surprised scientists, however, was how strongly the quarks and gluons seemed to interact during the collision. This strong interaction makes the system produced at RHIC behave almost like a perfect fluid, one in which the hot matter formed shows a high degree of collectivity among the particles, rather than a gas, in which individual molecules move about randomly. Evidence from the four RHIC detectors has shown that the system formed at RHIC is potentially the most perfect fluid found in nature, at least since a few microseconds after the Big Bang, a state which RHIC was built to re-create. This result is all the more amazing since the system is so small, the collisions forming over distances 100 times smaller than a proton, and forms so quickly, in times on the order of a millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second (10-24 seconds). It was even interesting enough to the wider physics community to warrant first place in the American Institute of Physics' year-end review of top physics stories.

It is the result of years of extensive and painstaking research. Within its pages are shocking, yet convincing revelations that force readers to reconsider what has been established as truths about mankind's past and purpose on planet Earth. It harmonizes the Biblical account of Creation and the Theory of Evolution. It applies historical events to the events described in the Biblical book of Revelation. It proves that the earth gods of antiquity are the biblical fallen angels, or demons, today's "extraterrestrials." It is non-proselytizing and reader friendly, and all theories are supported by scientific data, historical facts, and holy texts. It answers the age-old questions of: "Who are we?" "Why are we here?" and, "Where are we going?"

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear colleagues, Welcome in Bodrum to the NASion Hot and Dense Nuclear Matter! Welcome also to Mrs. Governor Dr. Lale AYTAMAN. We are very honored, that you, Governor of the Mugla-State, came here to greet us. We are particularly grateful to you that you offered help and assured us to do everything that we can enjoy two safe weeks in Bodrum, in this wonderful area of your country. I have chosen Bodrum as the place for our NASI because I like this historic region where many cultures meet (e. g. , Oriental and European (Greek, Roman) culture) and where you find numerous places which played a role in ancient science and in early Christianity- I mention Milet (Thales) and Ephesus (Apostle Paulus), both of which are close by. Our NASI will exhibit the most recent developments in high energy heavy ion physics. The meeting is both a school and a conference: A school, because there are very many advanced students, who frequently are themselves already top researchers, attending the lectures of distinguished scientists and leading researchers. It is also a conference because new material, new results of this exciting and wonderful field - our field - high energy heavy ion physics will be presented. It is the topic of hot and dense nuclear matter, which we are focusing on.

Snakes are creatures of mystery, arousing fear in many people but fascination in a few. Recent research has transformed our understanding of the behaviour and ecology of these animals, revealed their important roles in diverse ecosystems, and discovered new and effective ways to conserve their populations and to promote coexistence between snakes and people. One of the leading contributors to that scientific revolution has been Prof Rick Shine. Based in Australia, whose snake fauna is diverse and often dangerous, his experiences and anecdotes will inspire a new generation of serpent scientists. Spellbinding stories highlight the challenges, frustrations, and joys of discovery, and give the reader a greater appreciation of these often-slandered slithering reptiles. Key Features Documents the important role played by a preeminent herpetologist. Focuses on research conducted in Australia, especially on snakes. Summarizes highly influential conservation studies. Explores the ways in which research has deepened our understanding of snakes.

In a lecture titled "Hotter, Denser, Faster, Smaller ... and Nearly Perfect: What's the Matter at RHIC?", Steinberg discusses the basic physics of the quark-gluon plasma and BNL's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, with a focus on several intriguing results from RHIC's recently ended PHOBOS experiment.