Outrageous demands by the tree-hugging Green Meanies.- If the tree-huggers' predictions are correct on the global-warming front, in a few years Scotland will be basking in a tropical climate. Our children and grandchildren will be running around in shorts and T-shirts in January. [News Source]

Solar power lights up Africa. Affordable solar power, an environmentally friendly alternative, is promising to light up the parts of Africa which power cables do not yet reach. [News Source]

Surcharge on sweets may not trim many waists. Chicago researchers who studied the effects of state tax policies on consumer behavior concluded there is little evidence that modest fess on candy and soft drinks would significantly dampen demand for products blamed for fueling the nation's obesity epidemic. [News Source]

Is crystalline fructose a better choice of sweetener? Crystalline fructose, now a common substitute for high fructose corn syrup, is suspected by some of contributing to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. [News Source]

Golden rice. Rice genetically modified to produce Vitamin A could be the answer to some childhood health problems in the developing world. But some farmers, health advocates, and environmentalists are voicing concerns. [News Source]

Birth defects soar due to pollution. Every 30 seconds, a baby is born with physical defects in China, thanks to the country's degrading environment, an official of the National Population and Family Planning Commission has said. [News Source]

Today’s horoscopes (The Jackson Sun) Hip, hip, hurray: Mercury goes direct. You might feel better than you did yesterday in some subtle but affecting way. Mercury retrogrades aren’t all that bad, really — sort of like a yucky tasting vitamin drink that, once downed, gives you a healthy pep. [News Source]

Chemists Shed Light On Health Benefits Of Garlic (Science Daily) Researchers have widely believed that the organic compound, allicin -- which gives the pungent vegetable its aroma and flavor -- acts as an antioxidant. But until now it hasn't been clear how allicin works, or how it stacks up compared to more common antioxidants such as Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, which stop the damaging effects of radicals. Researchers now trace benefits to acid produced in ... [News Source]

The latest peanut recalls (The Journal News) Vitamin Cottage is recalling Vitamin Cottage packed fresh-ground peanut butter because the products could be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. [News Source]

Lettuce fine way to satisfy winter craving for vitamin C (Bangor Daily News) It is early February with weeks to go before the first seed is sown, yet I have a craving for fresh greens. I need lettuce! [News Source]

Recalls: dry-roasted peanuts, ice cream, pie (The State) The following recalls have been announced: --- Vitamin Cottage is recalling Vitamin Cottage packed fresh-ground peanut butter because the products could be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The Lakewood, Colo., company said state health authorities ... [News Source]

Recalls: dry-roasted peanuts, ice cream, pie (The Charlotte Observer) (The Associated Press) The following recalls have been announced: --- Vitamin Cottage is recalling Vitamin Cottage packed fresh-ground peanut butter because the products could be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The Lakewood, Colo., company said state ... [News Source]