June 2, 2007

Harvested meat for mortals and astronauts

Filed under: Food & Drink,Science,Sustainability by Orangemaster @ 5:13 pm
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Dutch researchers in the city of Utrecht are trying to grow pork meat in a laboratory with the goal of feeding millions without the need to raise and slaughter animals. According to Bernard Roelen, veterinary science professor at Utrecht University, the goal is make meat without killing animals. Although it is in its early stages, the idea is to replace harvesting meat from livestock with a process that eliminates the need for animal feed, transport, land use and the methane expelled by animals, which all hurt the environment, he said.

Research is also under way in the US, including one experiment funded by Nasa to see whether meat can be grown for astronauts.

(Link: Times of India, via Netherlands Post)

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May 8, 2007

The right stuff

Filed under: General,Science by Orangemaster @ 8:59 am

Astronaut

Space Expo in Noordwijk, South Holland is looking for one boy and one girl between the ages of 15 and 18 who want to represent the Netherlands during the International Space Camp 2007 (ISC 2007) in Huntsville, Alabama from 21 July through 27 July. Together with about 150 kids from around the world, they will discover everything there is to know about space travel: simulators, ground stations, spatial disorientation, gravity and all that jazz. Candidates have to be able to speak some English. This experience is brought to you by the NIVR, Delft University of Technology and Space Expo. Selection will take place on 17 May (Ascension) as of 10:30 at Space Expo in Noordwijk.

(Link: Blik op nieuws)

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May 3, 2007

Dutch scientist receives prize for wastewater system

Filed under: Science,Sustainability by Orangemaster @ 10:33 am
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Dutch scientist Gatze Lettinga has been awarded the Tyler Environmental Prize for a wastewater treatment system that is making an impact in the developing world. The process offers inexpensive treatment of industrial waste and sewage in countries that cannot afford centralised systems. The system was developed for agricultural industries in the Netherlands and is currently used in industrial installations around the world. Lettinga refuses to patent the system in order for it to be freely available throughout the developing world. He wants sustainable systems like this to become the norm.

(Link)

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March 24, 2007

Food that tastes like less

Filed under: Food & Drink,Health,Science by Orangemaster @ 9:23 am
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Scientists in Wageningen are developing a new generation of foods that can help prevent obesity by getting people to eat less. The Top Institute Food and Nutrition is also developing food ingredients which can stop obese people from developing diabetes. Such nutrients could eventually be used in any kind of food. The Dutch public health agency concluded in a research report last year that 25% of deaths and serious illness caused by overweight and obesity would be avoided if adults shed 3 kg.

Eating right and exercising is pretty straight forward, but accommodating the obese seems more lucrative. As the article states, “such innovative products have higher margins than those of selling a tomato or a bottle of milk.”

(Link)

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