Bytes

the strongest acid: The world's strongest acid, at least a million times more potent than concentrated sulphuric acid, has been made in a lab in California. It is also one of the least corrosive. Called carborane acid, is the first 'superacid' that can be stored in a bottle. The previous record-holder, fluorosulphuric acid, corroded everything. The new acid's 'gentleness' is due to its remarkable chemical stability, says Christopher Reed of the University of California, USA, who is one of the acid's creators.

Protection at last

california has become the second state in the us to ban the use of toxic mercury in vaccines. The state governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed a bill to that effect on September 28, 2004. According to the bill, children below the age of three and expectant mothers would not be given vaccines containing mercury -- a known neurotoxin. The law comes into effect from July 2, 2006.

World's first

California in the US has adopted the world's first plan to reduce the emission of green house gases (GHG) from motor vehicles. The new rules necessitate cutting exhaust from cars and light trucks by 25 per cent and from larger trucks and sport utility vehicles by 18 per cent in a phased manner. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved the rules on September 24, 2004. Earlier, when the CARB had unveiled the draft plan in June 2004, it was staunchly opposed by automobile associations but hailed by environmental organisations.

No breathing space

the California Air Resources Board (carb) is gearing up for another environmental crusade. After defying the us Environmental Protection Agency by releasing a draft proposal to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars, carb announced the findings of its 10-year-long study on children's health on June 24, 2004.

Commotion, just that

www.ruckus.org

Reverse brain drain can be a strain

AT THAT annual ritual called the Indian Science Congress, the Union minister of science and technology read out the prime minister's speech. It mentioned the need to draw in scientists of Indian origin back to the country, to reverse the brain drain and deal with challenges like water scarcity. The intention was noble.

Wind it up

Re-examined

a study by researchers from the us-based University of California and Mayo Clinic has left many doctors flabbergasted. It shows for the first time that exposure to diesel particulate matter alone is enough to induce an asthma attack.

Southern California forest fires

Southern California Forest Fires Here are some of the different uses of the forest fires that raged in southern California, usa, this month: The Washington Post reported that the fire "whipped" the us Senate into granting preliminary bipartisan approval to a bill that aims to expand forest-thinning operations and limit anti-logging operations.

Biomonitoring breastmilk

in april this year, California became the first us state to introduce a bill to biomonitor breast milk. Activists and researchers hope that once this legislation is passed, it will help people realise that mothers pass on toxic material to their offspring. Breast milk monitoring would also help create awareness about the harmful effect of pesticides.