“The investigators are not to blame. They can’t tell if a cotton bud has DNA sticking to it.”

Ulrich Goll, justice minister for the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germany, announces that a woman sought by police after her DNA was found at six murder scenes may be an innocent if careless employee in the factory that produces swabs for collecting DNA samples from murder scenes (BBC). [Hat tip: Good Morning Silicon Valley.]

“By saying that condoms exacerbate the problem of HIV/AIDS, the Pope has publicly distorted scientific evidence to promote Catholic doctrine on this issue.”

Medical journal The Lancet wades in on the Pope’s recent condom comments (AFP).

“With vertebrates we are asked to err on the side of caution and I believe this is the approach to take with these crustaceans.”

Bob Elwood, of Queen’s University in Belfast, comments on his research suggesting hermit crabs can feel pain (BBC).

“…to increase the effectiveness of cooperation with the border agencies (coast guards) of neighboring states in the fight against terrorism on the high seas, combat smuggling and illegal migration and defend marine life and resources.”

The Russian National Security Council explains why retreating ice means it is considering a new Arctic military force (Wired).

“As a scientist it was my priority on this project to develop tools to help us predict eruptions and ultimately reduce the loss of lives. As a musician and artist too, it was a natural step for me to take these seismic sonification sounds and apply them to the arts.”

Domenico Vicinanza explains why he worked to get a modern dance company moving to music generated from seismic data (press release).