Tuesday News

Infectious Diseases Study Site Questioned - Tornado Alley May Not Be Safe - from the Washington Post - "The Department of Homeland Security relied on a rushed, flawed study to justify its decision to locate a $700 million research facility for highly infectious pathogens in a tornado-prone section of Kansas, according to a government report."

Now there is a great idea. Place a multi-million dollar infections disease government lab in "tornado alley." But wait... more stupidity... What of the livestock? According to the Government Accountability Office: "Drawing conclusions about relocating research with highly infectious exotic animal pathogens from questionable methodology could result in regrettable consequences."

Give your congressman or senator a call.
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20,000 Gallons of Biofuel per Acre per Year - from Technology Review - "A startup based in Cambridge, MA--Joule Biotechnologies--today revealed details of a process that it says can make 20,000 gallons of biofuel per acre per year. If this yield proves realistic, it could make it practical to replace all fossil fuels used for transportation with biofuels. The company also claims that the fuel can be sold for prices competitive with fossil fuels."

High-tech agriculture on the bleeding edge. Joule uses genetically engineered microorganisms, likely a type of algae, to convert Carbon Dioxide and the Sun's energy into a hydrocarbon fuel. It may not be very tsty on the grill, but I wouldn't mind burning it in my truck or tractor.