“Why not turn their Real-Time PCR thermal cycler into an ass-kicking robot?”

Tyler Kay, of marketing company Bison, explains the logic behind a Roche advert that sees a lab-machine transform into a ninja robot (Wired).

“Some experts are concerned that unless there is an independent program, then Japan may be left behind in terms of space development.”

An unnamed official from Japan’s Strategic Headquarters for Space Policy explains why the country is considering putting robots on the Moon by 2020 and an astronaut on the Moon by 2030 (Reuters).

“No parking whitebeam.”

A new species of tree in Wales has been named after a sign once fixed to it (Western Mail).

“If anybody doubted the greening of Peter Mandelson and his willingness to take the green agenda on his shoulders we’ve seen it in practice on our television screens already this morning.”

UK prime minister Gordon Brown comments on a green custard attack on Business Secretary Mandelson. The attacker was supposedly protesting about plans to expand a major British airport (The Times).