California Condors, Grasshopper Control and the Dangers of Decaffeinated Coffee

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PHOTO: FOTOLIA/RTIMAGES
The federal government is conducting carcinogen tests on methylene chloride, a chlorinated hydrocarbon commonly employed to remove caffeine from coffee beans.

News briefs on California condors laying eggs, a new grasshopper control method and the dangers of decaffeinated coffee.

California Condors, Grasshopper Control and the Dangers of Decaffeinated Coffee

THE JOYS OF PARENTING? The female half of a pair of rare California condors–which accidentally lost their first egg of the season when it rolled over the edge of the birds’ nest as they were squabbling over who would enjoy the privilege of sitting on it–has laid another one, causing glee among biologists. The couple is believed to be the same one that fledged a chick in 1980 (they squabbled over feeding the youngster back then!).

OL’ MAN RIVER: A New Orleans college student–outraged by the amount of carcinogenic material being dumped into the Mississippi River–has begun bottling the suspect liquid for sale in French Quarter gift shops. The vials carry a guarantee that their contents can “remove paint, kill weeds, and cultivate tumors”. (The claims aren’t all that outlandish, either . . . considering that the New Orleans municipal water supply contains at least 250 questionable elements, including arsenic, cyanide, and mercury salts.)

BOMBS AWAY: U.S. Department of Agriculture officials have enlisted the aid of a radio-controlled model airplane flying club for a “pilot” project which involves spreading a virus-laden spray over cabbage looper-infested fields near Columbia, Missouri. By using the mini-aircraft to create isolated “hot spots” of the virus, researchers can gauge the rate of growth and effectiveness of the natural pest deterrent.

  • Published on Jul 1, 1982
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