IUSI - No 25 1980

Magazine Overview

This issue of INTERN UFO-Sverigeinformation, dated September 29, 1980, is a newsletter from the Swedish UFO organization UFO-Sverige. It announces a change in editorial leadership and provides updates on various topics of interest to UFO enthusiasts.

Editorial Transition and New Direction

The issue begins with a 'leader' article by Mats and Håkan, who are stepping down as editors. They thank the readers for their support and introduce the new editorial team from Hallstahammar, consisting of Bosse and Gunwor. The new editors express their nervousness but also their commitment to continuing the publication. They request material and articles from local UFO groups and members to support their work.

The publication's address has moved to Bo Roslind, Västmannavägen 2 A, 734 00 Hallstahammar. The printing and distribution will continue to be handled by Leif Andersson in Färjestaden. The subscription price is 40 kronor per calendar year.

Ancient Egypt and the Twelve-System

An article by C-A Mattsson explores the use of the twelve-system (duodecimal system) in ancient Egypt, suggesting it was superior to the ten-system (decimal system) for various calculations, including those related to building the pyramids. The author posits that the Egyptians may have used a system similar to the one illustrated, which required the invention of two new digits for practical decimal calculations. The article also touches upon the historical use of the twelve-system in other ancient cultures like the Sumerians and Babylonians, and its potential benefits for modern society.

Extraterrestrial Skeletal Remains

Several articles discuss alleged extraterrestrial skeletal remains. One piece details the findings of Dr. Fransisco de Aguilar, a psychologist and psychiatrist from Panama, who analyzed a 15 cm skeletal remains found on a beach in San Carlos, Panama, in March 1979. He believes it belongs to an extraterrestrial child, describing the being as small (80-90 cm), athletic, with a broad chest, long legs, and a large head. The article also mentions a similar finding in 1972 at Playa Erendira, Mexico, which was deemed of 'non-terrestrial origin' by Mexican scientists. A third, more recent finding in Nicaragua is also mentioned, though a zoologist suggests it might be a shark skull.

Life on Mars

An article titled "Det finns liv på Mars, men forskarna vågar inte berätta..." by Dick Saxty reports on claims made by Dr. Robert Jastrow, head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Jastrow allegedly revealed that biological experiments conducted on samples from the 1976 Mars expedition provided evidence of primitive life on the planet. However, he claims that due to fear of ridicule, scientists have not publicly disclosed these findings. The article suggests that NASA is reluctant to confirm the existence of life on Mars, despite the potential implications for humanity's understanding of the universe.

Geothermal Energy in Iceland

A report on Iceland's Krafla geothermal power plant highlights the challenges and high costs associated with harnessing geothermal energy. The project, intended to solve Iceland's energy problems and reduce reliance on oil, has faced significant setbacks due to political concerns, volcanic activity, and cost overruns. The plant, which was supposed to generate 60 megawatts, has so far produced only 7-9 megawatts. The article quotes engineer Gunnar Inge Gunnarsson, who acknowledges the political hurdles and the public's fear stemming from volcanic events, but remains optimistic about the plant's future potential if adequate funding is secured.

Miraculous Events

The issue includes a section on 'miracles', focusing on the 'Blood Miracle' of St. Januarius in Naples, Italy. It describes the annual event where a black substance in two ampoules, believed to be the blood of the saint, liquefies and turns red. The article notes that this phenomenon has been witnessed by many, including doctors and scientists, and that the substance has been proven to be human blood, though its direct connection to St. Januarius remains a matter of faith. It also briefly mentions other cases of preserved bodies of saints.

UFO-Week and Media Coverage

Jan Eriksen writes about the "Svensk UFO-80" event, reflecting on its successes and challenges. He notes the positive aspects, such as the opportunity to meet interested individuals and attend lectures, but also points out the lower-than-expected attendance. Eriksen highlights the extensive media coverage the event received, particularly from local radio and newspapers, which provided significant free advertising. However, he also mentions a financial deficit for the organizing committee, requiring funds from private sources.

Norsk UFO-Center Publication

An announcement from Norsk UFO-Center promotes a special publication titled "Ishålen på Silsetvattnet" (The Ice Holes on Silsetvattnet), available for 15 Norwegian Kroner. They also request program information from UFO associations for their upcoming almanac.

Central Group Information

The Central Group provides updates on upcoming events, including a planning conference in Karlskoga. They also urge members to submit articles and suggestions for the UFO-Sverige newsletter and mention that report forms are available. The group is working to increase membership and subscriptions through advertising in popular magazines.

Chinese Snowman Expedition

Finally, there is a brief report about a Chinese expedition to the Shennongjia mountain range to search for and film the Chinese 'snowman' or 'Yeti'. The expedition aims to gather more information about the creature, which has been sighted multiple times in the region.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of the unexplained, historical mysteries, and scientific inquiry. It presents information on UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial evidence, and ancient civilizations, alongside more conventional topics like energy and historical accounts of miracles. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, while also acknowledging the need for evidence and scientific scrutiny. There is a clear effort to engage readers and encourage their participation through submissions and event attendance.

This issue of RIKSORGANISATIONEN UFO-SVERIGES CENTRALGRUPP, dated October 1980, serves as a member's bulletin, featuring meeting protocols and articles on diverse topics. The cover prominently displays the calendar for October, listing namedays and local UFO group meetings, alongside the organization's name and its role in Swedish UFO identification.

Meeting Protocols (Protocols §1-§9)

The core of the issue details the minutes from a meeting of the UFO-Sveriges Centralgrupp held on August 30, 1980. Key attendees included Mats Nilsson, Christer Nordin, Håkan Ekstrand, and Annika Nordin, who also served as the protocol writer. The meeting addressed several critical points:

• Planning Conference: The planning conference was rescheduled from October 18 in Kalmar to October 25 in Karlskoga. The Kalmar-Ölands UFO-förening had to decline hosting due to administrative reasons. Special invitations will be sent to local groups, and information will be published in 'Intern UFO-info' and 'UFO-Sverige Aktuellt'.
• Publication Updates: A new editorial team for 'Intern UFO-Sverige Information' was appointed, with UFO Hallstahammar taking over from September 1, 1980. Material for the publication should be sent to Bo Roslind or Gunvor Wickström in Hallstahammar.
• UFO Congress: A UFO congress is scheduled for October 18, 1980, in Copenhagen. Jan Fjellander, Jan Eriksen, and Thorvald Berthelsen were appointed as representatives for UFO-Sverige.
• Equipment Purchase: A decision was made to purchase a new typewriter for UFO-Sverige-Aktuellt, citing the significant paper usage (approximately 300 A4 pages per issue). A second typewriter may be purchased later when the organization's finances allow, to streamline the editorial process.
• Videorecorder Rental: The organization will rent a videorecorder to better monitor and preserve TV programs relevant to UFO-Sveriges' interests. This equipment will also be utilized for educational purposes in field researcher training.
• New Letterhead: A prototype for a new UFO-Sverige letterhead, designed by Jan Eriksen of Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening, was approved by the Centralgruppen.

The meeting concluded with these decisions and approvals.

"Konstgjort blod" räddar liv (Artificial Blood Saves Lives)

This article reports on a groundbreaking medical achievement in Japan where 'artificial blood', specifically Fluosol-DA, was used for the first time to save a patient's life. The man had suffered severe bleeding after a surgical procedure and belonged to a rare blood group, making a transfusion difficult. He received 1,000 milliliters of the experimental substitute.

Dr. Kenji Honda, the surgeon, stated that the patient was recovering well without adverse effects. Dr. Ryochi Naito, who is responsible at the pharmaceutical company that developed Fluosol-DA, noted that previous uses of the substitute in animal experiments and on healthy volunteers had shown no harmful effects. The article highlights that, unlike whole blood, Fluosol-DA does not cause adverse transfusion reactions. It can be mass-produced, sterilized, and stored frozen for at least two years. The substance's ability to absorb large amounts of oxygen allows it to transport this vital gas, similar to natural blood. A potential drawback is that it may temporarily remain in the body, and its long-term effects are still under investigation. An American pharmaceutical company is planning to commence clinical trials in the United States soon.

Duvor som livräddare (Pigeons as Rescuers)

This section details an innovative use of pigeons in rescue operations. Pigeons are being trained to recognize the color orange, which is internationally used for life rafts and flotation vests. Their exceptional long-distance vision, superior to that of humans, makes them ideal for this task.

When pigeons, transported in specially built cages aboard rescue helicopters, spot an orange object, they are trained to peck a button. This action triggers a light signal for the pilot, indicating the presence of a potential rescue target. Recent tests have shown remarkable success rates: pigeons detected targets in 96 percent of the tests on their first attempt, a significant improvement over the 35 percent success rate of human spotters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects UFO-Sveriges' active role in organizing and disseminating information within the UFO community in Sweden. The editorial stance appears to be one of proactive engagement, focusing on internal organization, publication, and the exploration of both conventional and unconventional topics. The inclusion of articles on medical breakthroughs (artificial blood) and innovative animal training for rescue suggests a broad interest in scientific advancements and practical applications, even if not directly UFO-related, possibly as a way to broaden appeal or highlight human ingenuity. The detailed meeting minutes underscore a commitment to transparency and structured operations within the organization.