EU bans animal testing for cosmetics

A Europe-wide ban on the use of animals to test cosmetic products has been approved with an overwhelming majority by the European Parliament. It took 10 years of argument, but under the final compromise agreed the European Union will bring in the ban by 2009. However, there are some loopholes which have been condemned by animal rights groups as unacceptable

Global warming aggravates Australia drought

Global warming and the pollution believed to lie behind it are key reasons for the severity of Australia’s drought, an ominous sign for the future of the food-producing nation. The report, by the environmental group World Wide Fund for Nature Australia and two meteorologists, said record day-time temperatures last year led to unprecedented rates of water evaporation

For Those Long Coding Sessions: The Food Patch

The US Army is working on a Transdermal Nutrient Delivery System which works similarly to nicotine or birth control patches but delivers vitamins and other micronutrients. It was developed to help warfighters sustain their physical and mental performance during high intensity conflict. Stand aside lest the herd of code geeks trample you in their rush for a supply of food patches — via Slashdot

Use Maggots to Clean Wounds, Prevent Amputation

Despite the benefits of modern medical technology, new evidence suggests that doctors should sometimes cede to the authority of the earth’s original healer, Mother Nature. A new study describes the benefits of using maggots to treat stubborn wounds that refuse to heal as a result of infection or other problems. Maggots digest dead tissue and destroy bacteria