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The Battle for Biodiversity: Monsanto and Farmers Clash - Anna Lappé - Life - The Atlantic
French farmers and activists reap what they called an "illegal" plot of genetically modified rapeseed developed by the agribusiness company Monsanto. Robert Pratta/Reuters Two weeks ago, Monsanto announced the latest genetically engineered crop it hopes to bring to market: a soybean rejiggered to resist the herbicide dicamba. The new product, says Monsanto, will aid in weed control and "deliver peace of mind for growers." Meanwhile, half a world away, La Via Campesina, a farmers' movement of 150 organizations from 70 countries, had a slightly different idea about what would bring peace of mind to its millions of members: protecting biodiversity.
Time is running out for NASA's stuck Mars rover Spirit as engineers prepare to make their final attempts to rescue the hard-luck robot from its Martian sand trap. Spirit spun its wheels extremely slowly Tuesday in yet another attempt to extricate itself from the wheel-deep sand it has been stuck in since May 2009. Engineers are studying the results of that drive to decide which of the few remaining options to try next.
For stuck Mars rover, time is running out - LiveScience- msnbc.c
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Explanation: Although its colors may be subtle, Saturn's moon Helene is an enigma in any light. The moon was imaged in unprecedented detail last June as the robotic Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn swooped to within a single Earth diameter of the diminutive moon . Although conventional craters and hills appear , the above image also shows terrain that appears unusually smooth and streaked.
Astronomy Picture of the Day
pesaretabrizi Architecture of IRAN during Islamic times November 26th, 2009 Although much of Iran's architecture during the Islamic period has been destroyed over the years, even those of the legendary cities of Nishapur, Ghazni and Tabriz, due to earthquakes or barbarian invading armies, there is still a number of very impressive buildings to show. Iranian architecture has traditionally always been admired and influential throughout history, and Iranian architects have always been highly sought after - resulting in even the Taj Mahal in India being designed and constructed by Iranian architects. (To see the magnificent architecture of Iran from before the Islamic conversion of Iran then click HERE ).
pesaretabrizi - Architecture of IRAN during Islamic times
At first glance, I thought Mathmos has released a new mood light, but that glowing blue image is actually of Saturn, captured by the Hubble telescope. It's a very rare photo, as both poles and rings are visible. You actually just make out the Northern Lights-like aurorae on both poles, which is apparently caused by solar wind from the sun mixing up with molecules. Sadly, this is the only chance you'll get at having Saturn's aurorae as your desktop wallpaper, as the angle from which they can be viewed at is only possible twice every 30 years, and the Hubble telescope will no longer be used when the next opportunity comes along. I feel pretty sad about that, but not as sad as I was when reading xkcd's biography on the life of the Mars Spirit Rover . Let's not get our space-set emotional battles mixed up, now. [ The Guardian ]
Rare Photos of Saturn's Aurorae Captured For The Last Time By Hu