This sounds familiar

Once again we're ahead of the curve. LOOK!

I reckon they just read what we said about their publishers and decided to get their own back...

one all New Scientist... One all.

A ditty to the tune of the Superman Theme...

[In celebration of the first giant manta ray born in captivity at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan.]

Der de de de der
Der der der

Der de de de der
MANTA RAY!

[this better be the animal of the week next week.]

You know what I freakin' hate? I freakin' hate freakin' adverts for products with freakin' "good bacteria" in them, or even worse, freakin' "friendly bacteria". Awwww, look the cute little microbe? What's that Mr Lactobacillus casei immunitas [tm]? You think I'm looking nice today? Why thank you. What a friendly bacterium you are. Freakin' bull freakin' crap.
Any way, every thing friendly isn't always good: friendly fire for example.

Well, (in plataspid stinkbugs at least) these EVIL (yes, not friendly, EVIL!) bacteria are making their hosts eat soya. SOYA! Why I outta...

Reed-Elservier decide to stop being evil.

Wow, my faith in humanity is in a little way restored today; Reed-Elsevier have announced that they are going to stop running the DSEi and other arms fairs.

In a statement, they announced:

"it has become increasingly clear that growing numbers of important customers and authors have very real concerns about our involvement in the defence exhibitions business.

"We have listened closely to these concerns and this has led us to conclude that the defence shows are no longer compatible with Reed Elsevier's position as a leading publisher of scientific, medical, legal and business content."

Which appears to be a victory for those with any sense. Woot! I wish this sort of thing happened more often.