Brent Spar, broken spur

Article Abstract:

UK Prime Minister John Major's decision to support Shell Oil Co in disposing of an oil storage platform in the deep Atlantic Ocean was politically ill-advised because of Greenpeace opposition. Greenpeace declared the disposal environmentally damaging and was supported by the German government, which was attempting to maintain the interest of its Green Party. Caving in to the pressure, Shell agreed on a land disposal despite the environmental benefits or lack of problems caused by the ocean disposal and left Major as the sole supporter of an environmentally sound but politically unpopular solution to the Brent Spar's disposal.

Environmental aspects, Political aspects, Public opinion, Oil well drilling rigs, Oil drilling rigs, Waste disposal in the ocean, Ocean waste disposal, Major, John

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French propose agency to spur European defence research

Article Abstract:

France's defense minister, Pierre Joxe, urged the founding of a European Armaments Agency (EAA) to organize military-related scientific research. Joxe, in a speech to a two-day 'Science and Defence: New Europe, New Research' conference, said the EAA would investigate technologies such as a new telecommunications satellite and would not endanger the security of any country. Joxe also declared that France intends to start a new school in Paris to be modelled on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Europe, France, Military policy, Military research

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Gut defence

Article Abstract:

Anti-microbial molecules, called defensins, function as the body's natural antibiotics. Evidence of their role has been discovered by geneticists who have transplanted defensins into mice, giving them marked resistance to salmonella infection. Resulting peptide antibiotics may soon be used to treat human infections.

Prevention, Genetic aspects, Salmonella, Immune response, Immunological research, Immunologic research, Microbiological research

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