Science

Purdue University did a little research and came up with an idea to decrease water runoff and flooding. The Journal Gazette approves:

A Purdue University study points to a relatively simple and inexpensive way to reduce flooding: Stop urban sprawl.

To my younger brother Larry and our younger sister Judy: Nyah, nyah, nyah.

Birth order within families has long sparked sibling rivalry, but it might also impact the child's personality and intelligence, a new study suggests. First-borns are typically smarter, while younger siblings get better grades and are more outgoing, the researchers say.

Larry, you're more outgoing than I am, right? Judy, you certainly got better grades. I rest my case.

We hve a national crisis on our hands, and hardly anybody is paying attention:

U.S. packaged coffee maker J.M. Smucker Co (SJM.N) on Tuesday sharply raised prices for its well-known brands including Folgers, passing along the impact of a fund-led rally in benchmark futures markets.

The increase by an average of 9 percent was the biggest widespread rise in years . . .

If I hear one more politician or commentator call the Gulf oil spill the "worst natural diaster in American history," I'll scream. Maybe I'll get lucky -- we seem to be in the "It wasn't nearly as bad as it seemed" stage: (via Instapundit)

One step forward:

Future historians will pinpoint Democratic Sen. Harry Reid's energy legislation, released Tuesday, as the moment that the political movement of global warming entered an irreversible death spiral. It is kaput! Finito! Done!

Today's life lesson: "When you're looking for a gorilla, you're likely to miss other unexpected events."

Must be more loose money floating around Fort Wayne than I realized. i saw an ad for this on TV yesterday and looked it up on the Web just to make sure I didn't dream the whole thing:

Have your BREAST AUGMENTATION COMPLETED BY AUGUST 31, 2010 and receive a 10% DISCOUNT on the surgeon and facility fees, excluding anesthesia, implants, or products. Availability is limited, so please call today!

1960s NASA: We will get to the moon! Today's NASA: We will make Muslims feel good!

Oh, well. So much for the 200-mile-high club:

Commanders do not allow sexual intercourse on the International Space Station, it has been disclosed.

 "We are a group of professionals," said Alan Poindexter, a NASA commander, during a visit to Tokyo, when asked about the consequences if astronauts boldly went where no others have been.

Exciting news on the "So you think you have free will?" front. A new study shows that kids respond to sneaky sales pitches:

Popular cartoon characters are influencing the taste preferences of very young children, and not in a positive way, a new study suggests.