Science for sane people

Some interesting research done recently, and usefully summarised on the Effect Measure scienceblog, suggests that in fact a significant proportion of "microwave safe" plastic containers may actually be rather less safe than ideal. Many of these containers turn out to leak potentially-toxic chemicals left over from the manufacturing process into their contents when heated. Storing food in them at room temperature (or below) seems to be fine, but heating them in a microwave or oven may not be.

In even more alarming news, which I missed until recently, ESA satellite images show that the bridge connecting the Wilkins Ice Shelf to one of the islands that anchor has almost completely disappeared since February this year. The most recent data show new rifts in the main body of the shelf, suggesting it may now be on the verge of collapse.

Finally, on a lighter note, a Canadian police video camera captured some impressive footage of a meteor coming in low across the night sky: