Innovation

A 'revolution' in batteries - Cosmic Log - msnbc.com
Batteries that could last ten times longer, thanks to silicon nanowires.

High-tech insulator created from rice husks - Innovation - MSNBC.com
You've heard of aerogel? A scientist from Malaysia figured out how to make it from rice husks - for about 1/5 of the usual cost.


Fed.Gov. Overreach

EPA justifies Calif. waiver denial - Environment - MSNBC.com
I understand why the EPA did it, and though I dislike the environmentalists (and suspect that if they were allowed to do as they wish, there would be tremendously costs without any real benefits), I do not see that the EPA should have the authority to regulate this. If one state wishes to have different automotive standards, so long as it does not impose those standards on visiting cars, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to do that. It'll cause problems, and it will be costly, but that doesn't mean it's illegal, or beyond their rights. Back off, Feds.

U.S. pulls the plug on Europeans who want to visit Cuba - International Herald Tribune
Another fine example of the US sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. Last I checked, Europeans were not subject to US law if they were not US citizens, and not in US territory, both of which are true if they are European and visiting Cuba (apparently this is still true in Guantanamo Bay, where US law also does not apply!)


Islam

Secular Pakistani wins Taliban support - World Blog - msnbc.com
Just like the title says - things aren't as simple as one would sometimes wish. Fortunately, they are more complicated than that, allowing solutions that don't suck as tremendously as wiping one group of people off the planet.

Young Iraqis are losing their faith in religion - International Herald Tribune
I can only consider this a good thing, if being religious means beheading, maiming, kidnapping, and just plain murdering innocent people. Another good sign of progress.

The archbishop of Canterbury's dangerous embrace of sharia. - By Christopher Hitchens - Slate Magazine
This is probably no surprise to any of you, but the archbishop of Canterbury is sort of a moron. He wants to allow sharia law in the UK, for Muslims, doing away with "one law for everybody." Fortunately, he is a nobody. Does anyone even believe in state churches anymore?

Who needs a state censor when the press bites its own tongue so effectively? - By Christopher Hitchens - Slate Magazine
The press is cowardly, and loves appeasement. That's the gist of the article.


Science

Watching hyenas' social lives to understand intelligence - International Herald Tribune
Spotted hyenas turn out to be fairly intelligent, like other highly social creatures.

East and West: Seeing the world through different lenses - International Herald Tribune
The culture you are raised in changes the way you see the world. No, the image your eyes take in is roughly the same as anyone else's, it's just the way your mind processes it.

Urban landscapes force plants to evolve - LiveScience- msnbc.com
They change their seeds to take advantage of their new environment.

Why carpal tunnel cases are plummeting - More health news- msnbc.com
I'd forgotten all about that - used to hear about it all the time.

In romance, the hotties stick together - Behavior- msnbc.com
No surprise here - attractive people stick together, less attractive people stick together, but would like to be dating the attractive people...but they do learn to value other traits like humor.
Then again, the whole study was based off of hotornot.com data.

Dust mites, roaches can weaken your skin - Skin and beauty- msnbc.com
They make your skin weaker and more prone to damage. Bad news for people with already bad skin.

Aromatherapy is no cure for what ails you - Skin and beauty- msnbc.com
Surprisingly, in a study done by believers in aromatherapy, and funded by yet others, and performed on believers and non-, no evidence was found for aromatherapy having any effect whatsoever.

Smelly guy? It’s all in your nose - More health news- msnbc.com
Some people think guys stink. Like Gloria Steinem. Oh. Bad pun.
Others think men don't smell like much of anything; others like the smell. And it all has to do with what your particular copy of a gene is doing for your receptors.

Cell Phones Fuel Risky Behavior LiveScience
No surprise there. Women go places they ordinarily wouldn't, because they feel safer with cell phones. Etc.

Goo Makes Flu Worse in Winter LiveScience
Its protein coat gels up in the winter, making it more durable. When it reaches warm air, that outer coating falls apart. That's why summertime is bad news for the flu, and great news for us. Unfortunately, that coat lets it survive in cold temperatures much better; when it reaches warm air, like inside your lungs, it pops out and introduces itself in a way no one appreciates.

Asian cockroach found to eat crop-killing pests - International Herald Tribune
They look just like regular cockroaches, except they're really great to have around.



Hugo Chavez, War-Mongering Idiot

Colombia links slain rebel leader to Venezuela - International Herald Tribune
Supposedly, Chavez gave $300 million to FARC. And years ago, they gave him money, too. What happened to loving your neighbor as yourself? Oh, right. He already overthrew Venezuela's government.
Venezuela-Colombia conflict widens - Americas- msnbc.com
Also, FARC was supposedly attempting to purchase uranium. Some in the Colombian government say it was for a dirty bomb; others say it was to resell for profit.

Colombia escalates Venezuela's quarrel with U.S. - International Herald Tribune
Naturally, this has not been good for relations among nations in the Americas. No one wants a war, except maybe Chavez. And even he couldn't really want a war, could he? He's not likely to gain anything from it.