02 May 2005
Biodiesel production gets simplified with new method

This could be big, indeed. Not only have they eliminated the use of hexane as a starter catalyst, they may have stumbled onto a way to use corn as a starter material as well.

WYNDMOOR, Pa., (ARS) - An Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist may have found a way to remove a costly component of biodiesel production.

(link) [The Prairie Star]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link

A Megachurch's Leader Says Microsoft Is No Match

I seriously doubt that this is true: if a boycott of M$ were organized by evangelicals, exactly what would be their alternative? Apple? - the heart of gay liberation. Linux? That communist, open source stuff?

Methinks Rev. Hutcherson is blowing some wishful smoke here - Microsoft has it's own agenda, and they most likely backed off on this issue to garner more support on another.

But the end result could be interesting indeed. Now that "Hutch" has called them out publicly, Microsoft may have no choice but to resume their support for the bill in question, or appear to be at the mercy of wackos. It's like negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists: give in once and you've shown that you're an easy target. The last thing M$ wants is a parade of crusaders marching on Redmond making demands "or else ...".

Ken Hutcherson claims to be the person who forced Microsoft to withdraw its support of a gay rights bill before the Washington State Legislature.

(link) [NYT > Home Page]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Creating 'human-animals' for research

Welcome to the Island of Dr. Moreau:

Not to go on all-Fours; that is the Law. Are we not Men? Not to eat Flesh or Fish; that is the Law. Are we not Men? Not to claw Bark of Trees; that is the Law. Are we not Men? Not to chase other Men; that is the Law. Are we not Men?

On a farm about six miles outside this gambling town, Jason Chamberlain looks over a flock of about 50 smelly sheep, many of them possessing partially human livers, hearts, brains and other organs.

(link) [CNN]

Updates: Slashdot is carrying a post entitled The Chimera Dilemma Manifested in Sheep , and Wired has a cautionary tale: Careful How You Monkey With DNA.

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link

Now evolving in biology classes: a testier climate

What can I say that could possibly top the response of Judith Hayes to these kinds of efforts?

If we are going to teach creation science as an alternative to evolution, then we should also teach the stork theory as an alternative to biological reproduction.

Science teachers are encountering resistance to evolution - from their students.

(link) [Christian Science Monitor | Top Stories]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link