biological sciences Water bears in space Life for a certain kind of tiny invertebrates is possible in space. About 1.5 mm long water bears were found to survive there, a European Space Agency (esa) experiment showed. This makes the eight-legged invertebrates, also called tardigrade, the first animals known to survive the harsh combination of low pressure and intense radiation.

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) today said that it would be working jointly with its supplier Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in a project to produce an ethanol-petrol mix.

Increasing awareness of the need for green living has prompted considerable research activity in every walk of life in the US. The vigorous effort to identify sustainable sources for generation of clean energy is a case in point. For quite some time, , ideas of a "bridging fuel' have diverted attention to ethanol and, lately, to liquefied natural gas. The clamour for a lasting alternative to fossil fuels has, indeed, helped kick-start intensive research pro grammes. Resolution passed

US governors pushing alternative energy development are not shying from coal, a major culprit in global warming but also a homegrown energy source and an economic lifeline for many states. Leaders of coal-rich states say clean-coal technology is a must. Governors from states without coal want more evidence the technology works.

Prime Minister for alternative energy sources to reduce fuel bill ISLAMABAD (February 22 2008): Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro on Thursday emphasised the need on utilising alternative sources of energy including possible blending of ethanol with petroleum products. The Prime Minister said this while chairing a high level meeting held here to examine the possibility of using ethanol in petroleum products. He directed all the concerned organisations to focus on developing alternative sources of energy to help reducing the prices of petroleum products as well as saving foreign exchange. Expressing concern over the escalation of oil prices in the international market, the Prime Minister underlined the need to employ all available alternative sources of energy which could help sustenance of economic growth. He directed the Petroleum Ministry to finalise its recommendations and strategy in consultation with all the stakeholders. Secretary Petroleum informed the meeting that feasibility study for blending of ethanol with petroleum products was earlier carried out and a pilot project was launched in August 2006 which was completed in March 2007. He said the project established that the ethanol (E-10) blended fuel is environment friendly and economically viable. The meeting was apprised that ethanol is a by-product of molasses which is presently being exported. The local consumption of the product could help reduce the fuel bill and impact the economy in a positive manner. The meeting was also informed that Brazil is the leading country where ethanol is being used as a major alternative source of energy. The other countries which are switching towards this trend include USA, China, European Countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, Thailand and India. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ehsan-ullah-Khan also attended the meeting. Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2008

Two US oil products pipeline companies said Tuesday they have launched an assessment on whether to build what would be the first dedicated ethanol pipeline from agriculture centres in the Midwest to the heavily populated US Northeast. The companies, Magellan Midstream Partners LP and Buckeye Partners LP, said the proposed pipeline -- with a preliminary cost estimate of more than $3 billion -- would span about 1,700 miles (2,740 km) and take several years to build. The assessment could be completed later this year.

Western citizens want to use the limited land to produce ethanol rather than food for the poor.

Genetically engineered agriculture is spreading worldwide, and its biggest growth in 2007 was in the developing world, according to a report released Wednesday. Farmers in 12 developing countries planted biotech crops in 2007, and for the first time these countries outnumbered the industrialized countries where such crops are grown, according to the report from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications.