Ladbrokes Slashes Odds on Science

UNITED KINGDOM -- The chances of scientists making one of five remarkable discoveries by 2010 have been hugely underestimated, according to bookmakers.

"Ladbrokes says it has had to slash the odds for one of the breakthroughs - the first detection of gravitational waves - after a rush of bets from punters.

"…Another of the possible breakthroughs is understanding cosmic rays' origins.

"…Next up is the discovery of the Higgs boson, an elusive particle said to endow all others with mass. Its odds are 6/1.

"…The huge Ligo (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) facility built in the US is now online and approaching the sensitivities scientists believe will be necessary to detect gravitational waves.

"…Ladbrokes set its odds for scientific discoveries after it consulted a number of experts. But the company was surprised by the interest attracted in this particular field…"