] With a blast of X-rays compressing a capsule of hydrogen
] to conditions approaching those at the center of the Sun,
] scientists from Sandia National Laboratories reported
] today that they had achieved thermonuclear fusion, in
] essence detonating a tiny hydrogen bomb.
]
] Such controlled explosions would not be large enough to
] be dangerous and might offer an alternative way of
] generating electricity by harnessing fusion, the process
] that powers the Sun. Fusion combines hydrogen atoms into
] helium, producing bountiful energy as a byproduct.

Yay. Alternative sources of power are a good thing.

New Fusion Method Offers Hope of New Energy Source

The Veteran's Administration, plagued by recent budget cuts, has had to resort to charging new veterans entering into its system a yearly fee of $250 in order for them to receive treatment. It is a sad irony that the very people being sent to fight the war are going to have to pay to treat the effects of it.

Support the Warrior Not the War: Give Them Their Benefits!

] A massive virus has been found lurking in a British water
] cooling tower. The virus lives in single-celled organisms
] called amoebae and may be able to infect humans.
]
] The virus is so large that at first researchers mistook
] it for bacteria. Most viruses can only be seen with
] electron microscopes but this one was spotted through a
] high quality optical microscope.

hmmm.....interesting.
/me goes digging to see if she can find more info on this.

CBC News: Giant virus discovered in water tower

] Even before it began, the 1991 war with Iraq was
] headlined as an environmental apocalypse. The allied
] forces would wreak their share of environmental damage,
] critics warned, but Saddam's actions would be
] devastating. His likely sabotage of Kuwaiti oil wells
] would produce the largest, most destructive oil spill
] ever. And according to the late US scientist Carl Sagan,
] smoke from burning wells would shroud the planet in soot,
] creating a "year without summer".
]
]
] It did not happen quite like that, of course. Many fears
] turned out to be misplaced or inaccurate. Twelve years
] on, are we in a better position to judge how badly the
] environment would suffer in a new war with Iraq?

More info on the ecological situation in Iraq

New Scientist - Future looks bleak for Iraq's fragile environment

] An enzyme-catalysed battery has been created that could
] one day run cell phones and laptop computers on shots of
] vodka

Whoa....cheers to that:)

New Scientist - Bio-battery runs on shots of vodka

] The statement says IUCN concluded the environmental
] consequences of the 1991 war against Iraq had caused
] widespread, devastating damage extending far beyond the
] conflict itself.
]
] "A repetition of the damage caused then to rivers,
] wetlands, marshes, the desert and the seas will have
] disastrous long-term impacts.
]
] "Damage to the natural environment from armed conflict
] can undermine the natural resource base on which millions
] of people depend for their livelihood.

I found this to be pretty interesting. Ecologists are pissed about the war because of the future impact on the ecology of the land. An important, uniqe slant that hasn't been broadcast very loudly.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Scientists urge rethink on war

] A tasteless powder of antibodies could be sprinkled on
] suspect food to destroy any dangerous bacteria, according
] to the researcher who has produced the powder. An
] alternative use would be as a spray for meat carcasses,
] to ensure hygiene in abattoirs.

mmmmm......powered antibody steak.......um.....yeah.
Oh well....still interesting to me.

New Scientist - Anti-bacterial powder could disinfect food

] HumanCloning.org is the official site in support of human
] cloning technology. The Human Cloning Foundation has been
] determined to be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and
] all donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted
] by law.

I am memeing this so I can go back and look later...but you may be interested too.

The Human Cloning Foundation

Decius wrote:
] Just when I think that they've thought of it all on Ebay, here
] comes yet another strange auction. The instant girlfriend
] kit!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2917617532&category=1469

No, after you follow that link you will have seen it all. Its linked on the bottom of the page too..

[OMFG....thats hilarious and scary all at the same time.. - Nano]

RE: eBay item 2916669204 (Ends Mar-16-03 17:33:47 PST ) - Instant Girlfriend Kit!

] The Hubble Space Telescope has detected an extensive
] atmosphere of hydrogen enveloping and escaping from a
] newfound planet of a distant star, scientists have
] reported.
]
] .
]
] The discovery comes as no surprise, astronomers say, but
] it is important nonetheless as apparent confirmation that
] the extrasolar planets observed so far not only are much
] like the solar system's Jupiter in size but also are
] similarly huge gaseous bodies.

IHT: Hubble detects a new, distant planet