Scientists have discovered that a bacteria, which naturally exists on the skin of frogs and other amphibians, serves to protect them from the diseases which have been decimating their populations. That is good news. However, it begs the question of how to apply or encourage this bacteria, without letting it get out of hand. That …
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Another giant is waking up to the urgency of biosphere preservation – IEA
The International Energy Agency is finally beginning to realise that consumption patterns and technology must change if we are to avoid a natural catastrophe. The IEA announced that $ 45,000,000,000,000 (trillion) must be spent to change the pattern of consumption of fossil fuels. It is a long overdue public recognition only catalysed by the current …
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Alcohol is good for you …?
Well the Swedes (lovers of aquavit) have done the research and concluded that alcohol in moderation “cuts the risk of arthritis“. The qualification that it should be in moderation is important, particularly because alcohol, a toxin or poison, is the cause of many social problems and disease. Though once a teetotaller, today I prefer a …
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OECD also waking up to the reality of a slowdown
Growth is weakening and inflation is likely to remain high across most OECD countries, according to the OECD Economic Outlook. US activity is now projected to be flat through 2008 (and that is still deceptive) and the Euro area economy growth will also be restrained by tighter credit and lower export market growth. The culprits, …
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Yoga hones Indian army
The Indian army has introduced yoga as part of the training programme for troops, and it has been found to be beneficial. This isn’t much different from investment bankers doing their 24 minutes of ashtanga before donning their red braces to take over another company. It shows that yoga really is for all! Though of …
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Parents! Tired of being harrased by your teenager? See this …
Print this image and stick it on the fridge or their door! 🙂
Australia ends Iraq combat
Australia, one of the first countries to commit troops to the war in Iraq five years ago, has ended its combat operations there. About 300 Australians will remain inside Iraq on logistical and air surveillance duties. This withdrawal is in line with a promise by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who won the election in November. …
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BT Notes May
Here in Ireland the everyday greeting usually has something to do with the weather. Partly that’s because of the rural population and the importance of agriculture in culture, but also because of the extraordinary variability of daily weather. It is not unusual to hear a weather forecast of “sun, with rain” and temperature fluctuations of …
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The 6 million dollar man becoming reality
The video and report linked here shows a monkey controlling a robotic arm via probes inserted into its brain. This certainly demonstrates the viability of robotic prosthetics (and probably some terrifying military applications). But I wouldn’t want unnecessary probes in my head and our cousin primates don’t either. It would be better if human volunteers …
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Still a primitive world – AI report on human rights 2008
Amnesty International released their annual report on human rights. It continues to paint a stark picture of humanity. Violence is the culture of too many places, and of too many rich countries. With the richest countries still failing to respect human life, despite teh intellect and wealth available to nurture, it remains a dream that …
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