13 Sep 2005
Less virulent strains of avian influenza can infect humans

If I were an animist, I'd almost be tempted to say that this virus is taunting us. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll just keep using scare tactics. But if it doesn't - well, 1918 will look like a Sunday school picnic.

In findings with implications for pandemic influenza, a new study reports for the first time that a less-virulent strain of avian influenza virus can spread from poultry to humans. The research appears in the October 1 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, now available online.

(link) [EurekAlert! - Breaking News]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link

iTunes upgrade has users griping

Welcome to Windows programming, Mr. Jobs!

New version of Apple's iPod software--iTunes 5 for Windows--has triggered an online kvetch-fest.

(link) [CNET News.com]

00:00 /Technology | 0 comments | permanent link

Bush: "I take responsibility."

I have to give credit where credit's due: this was the right thing to say and do, and he said and did the right thing. The buck, after all, stops on his desk.

Reuters - President George W. Bush took responsibility on Tuesday for federal government failures in handling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as new questions swirled over the discovery of at least 44 bodies in an abandoned hospital.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Nickels and dimes to fetch goods at Amazon.com

A brilliant bit of business planning!

Online retailer hooks up with Coinstar to push business. Promotion lets machine users exchange their coins for a redemption code.

(link) [CNET News.com]

00:00 /Technology | 0 comments | permanent link

Farm Bureau urges Japan to open beef markets

Yeah, come on, guys! You'll be mad about our cows!

BOZEMAN, Mont. - The Montana and American Farm Bureau Federations (MFBF) and (AFBF), are encouraging a speedy resumption of beef trade with Japan.

(link) [The Prairie Star]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link