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Biotech food debate spices up scientist meeting

The Association of Official Analytical Communities (AOAC) meeting saw proponents and critics of biotech foods disagreeing on their safety.

China hails bird flu fix amid prophesies of doom

China has announced the development of vaccines that block the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Study links garden pesticides to Parkinson's risk

A new study shows that exposure to garden as well as farm pesticides can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease. Protective clothing should be worn when using them. The study reported other factors leading to a higher risk.

Experts Say Be Sensible With Pocket Pets, Rodent Virus Now Linked to Six Deaths

A recent story about 3 transplant patients dying because the donor caught a virus from a hamster has sent pet owners scurrying to animal shelters with their small pets. Pocket pets can also carry diseases such as salmonella. If you have a pet, please be very careful about hygiene. If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system you might prefer to avoid them.

Senate panel backs $140 billion asbestos fund, Senate Panel OKs Bill on Asbestos Suits

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation to create a $140 billion asbestos compensation fund by 13-5, but this does not assure approval by the senate as a whole.

Senate Advances Ethanol Energy Bill

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee has advanced an energy bill aimed at increasing energy production and conservation. One contentious provision would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission final say in where liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals are located. Some provisions supported by the House were not addressed, such as drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and providing liability protection for makers of MTBE (a gasoline additive that contaminates drinking water)

More Vegetation Increases Forest Fire Risk

Vegetation has grown well in the Southwest, Northern Rockies and Alaska. A lot of vegetation in the Southwest has alreay drdied. The Northwest and the Northern Rockies did not have their snow pack last winter, which ought to be gradually melting and watering the trees this summer. Insects have killed stands of spruce trees in the western Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. All these areas are likely to have above average wildfires this year.

Texas Family Finds Baby Opossum in Toilet

The family used a toilet brush to extricate a baby opossum from their toilet, and released it outside.

World-Record 124-Pound Blue Catfish Dies

The fish was caught earlier this week and was being transported to a tank where it was to be displayed when it died, in spite of all efforts to care for it.

Scientists Find Eels Near Undersea Volcano

Vailulu'u Volcano, an emerging undersea volcano near the islands of American Samoa in the South Pacific, was only discovered in 1999. Scientists were amazed to find hundreds of purplish-gray eels about a foot long living there.

Britain pledges extra cash to cut animal testing

The British government has given an extra 3 million pounds ($5.5 million) to the National Center for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research. The money will fund its work over 2006-2008.

Do you think that oil pipelines are a wise investment?

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