Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe SENATOR LEAPS FROM MOVING AMTRAK TRAIN Sen. John Warner, R-Va., a long-time supporter of federal subsidies for Amtrak, had to jump from a moving Amtrak train as it left the station -- and he's promised to take up the matter with the railroad's chairman of the board. Advertisement The Washington Post says it was a rough ride up Virginia from Williamsburg to Alexandria, as Warner dumped half his beer when the train suddenly braked because an elderly motorist was stuck on the track, signal problems delayed the trip further, and additional time was lost at a stop to pick up a new conductor. It was at Alexandria, however, where Warner was to detrain, where the train stopped only long enough for Warner to hand a bag to a waiting staffer. It then started moving again, with Warner still aboard. The 75-year-old senator, a former Marine parachutist in World War II, gripped his luggage with one hand, gauged the speed of the train -- about 5 miles per hour -- and jumped, landing on his feet unhurt, the Post says. Amtrak officials are investigating but say Warner should not have jumped -- it was very dangerous. Advertisement MARIJUANA-BASED MEDS COMING TO U.K. The British Broadcasting Corp. reports medicines containing marijuana could be available legally in the United Kingdom within a year. GW Pharmaceuticals, which has a government license to test cannabis compounds, says advanced phase III trials on a first medication are a success. This is the final stage of drug evaluation before approval and the studies show the cannabis-based medicine can help to relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The product developed by GW is sprayed into the mouth, not smoked. THIS NOSE KNOWS An electronic "nose" the size of a personal stereo can diagnose pneumonia by taking a series of brief whiffs. Dr. C. William Hanson, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, says the electronic nose is so sensitive it can identify specific types of bacteria, such as strep or staph, by making a fingerprint of the odor. In the pilot study, the nose was as accurate at diagnosing pneumonia as a traditional test. The nose is called Cyranose -- and is made by Cyrano Sciences Inc. of Pasadena, Calif. Hanson says the electronic nose technology has the advantage of speed. While waiting for conventional diagnoses, a patient's condition could worsen or the patient might receive unnecessary treatments. Advertisement (Thanks to UPI Medical Correspondent Peggy Peck) THANKSGIVING COMES EARLY IN MIAMI The Miami Herald reports the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade traditionally is a New York affair but this year, for the first time, Miami Beach will share the spotlight. The catch is -- Miami will have to celebrate more than three weeks early. The city will hold its parade Wednesday to allow CBS-TV to pretape segments for the Nov. 28 broadcast, the paper says. Thousands of residents and visitors are encouraged to crowd the popular beachfront strip for two tapings and so far, 2000 passes have been given out. Miami's parade will include the usual floats and marching bands and Miami Beach Tourism Director Michael Aller told the paper the taping is a major coup.
