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Human-derived gelatin spares the livestock, confuses vegans
Vegans are going to be super-conflicted by this one. Researchers at Beijing University's College of Life Science and Technology are pioneering a four-legged creature friendly method for cranking out the 300,000 tons of gelatin produced each year. Their solution: people. Well, not in the Soylent Green sense. No, the process in question here takes "human gelatin genes [and inserts them] into a strain of yeast [producing] gelatin with controllable features." Sound appetizing? It might, if you want to avoid chowing down on "Mad Cow" tainted gummy worms at the cinema. Alright, so maybe these Chinese scientists are signaling the sensationalist red alert a bit prematurely -- it's just too bad Charlton Heston isn't around to witness this bit of life science imitating his art. [Image credit via Film Critic]
Supermarket generates piezoelectric power in parking lot
Remember that piezoelectric road prototype we saw late last year? Looks like someone (besides us) thought it was a good idea. According to The Daily Mail, a Sainsbury's supermarket in Gloucester, UK (you've never been there), has installed kinetic plates in the parking lot that use the weight of shopper's cars to pump a series of hydraulic pipes, which in turn drive a generator. The system is said to generate up to 30kw of energy an hour -- or enough to power the store's checkouts. And if that weren't enough, the store is also harvesting rainwater and heating it (during the summer, at least) with solar panels. The next in this store's "eco-friendly evolution?" Might we suggest Soylent in the deli? We hear the "green" stuff is particularly good.[Via Green Launches, Thanks Deepa]
Soylent iPod is People
If anthropomorphic iPod accessories are your thing, look no further. Today we have found the ultimate iPerson dock--well, almost the ultimate dock. Unfortunately this iKub kubrick dock is only designed for those old-style iPod shuffles. If you've got the right kind of shuffle, you're in business. Shove your iPod down this little guy's neck, connect him to your fave computer and your iKub will sync and charge your iPod and look really cute while doing so. From London-based Maharishi dpihmi.com, this toy will set you back £32.[Via Mobile Digest UK]
