How Bacteria Make The B Vitamin Folate (Medical News Today) Some biochemical processes, especially those in bacteria, have been so well studied it's assumed that no discoveries are left to be made. Not so, it turns out, for Johns Hopkins researchers who have stumbled on the identity of an enzyme that had been a mystery for more than 30 years. The report appears in Structure. [click link for full article] [News Source]

It’s time to debate a ban on smoking in vehicles carrying children. According to the British Columbia Ministry of Health, smoking in a small, enclosed space like a car is 23 times more toxic than in a house. [News Source]

Cat disease associated with flame retardants. An epidemic of hyperthyroidism in house cats may be the result of environmental exposure to certain flame retardants. [News Source]

In nature’s casino. On Aug. 24, 2005, New Orleans was still charming. The chances of an American city’s being destroyed by nature were remote. A storm that destroys $70 billion of insured property should strike the U.S. only once every 100 years, scientists said. [News Source]

Lead, a hazardous playmate. In recent weeks, millions of toys have been recalled because their paint could contain unacceptable levels of lead which, even at low levels, can potentially cause damage. [News Source]

To eat . . . . or to drive? Farmers all over the world are finding a sudden boom in demand for their crops -- but as fuel for cars rather than as food. [News Source]