reuters wrote:
Fish Off Arctic City Get Drug Cocktail from Sewers
Tue Nov 25,10:15 AM ET
OSLO (Reuters) - Fish in seas near a Norwegian Arctic city are getting an unexpectedly strong cocktail of caffeine and painkillers from local sewers, a scientist said.
Some samples taken very close to a sewer outlet near a psychiatric hospital also showed measurable amounts of anti-epileptic drugs and anti-depressants.
"We don't know what effect this is having on the environment," said Ole-Anders Braathen, head of department at the Norwegian Institute of Air Research which led the study of waters off the city of Tromsoe.
"The measurements showed surprisingly high doses, especially of caffeine," he told Reuters, adding that caffeine and drugs flushed from city sewers may take longer to break down in icy Arctic waters than further south.
The study showed traces of caffeine from human drinks such as coffee and cola at 20-80 nanograms (billionth of a gram) per liter in seas off Tromsoe, which is on an island ringed by waters about 0.6-1.2 miles wide.
Braathen said levels of pharmaceutical residues matched those expected for a European city three times the size. The effect of the drug traces on marine life are little known.
bbc wrote:
'Gross' turkey tipple gobbled up
A soft drink flavoured with turkey and gravy, which even its creator admits is undrinkable, has become a surprise hit ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday.
Seattle-based Jones Soda sold out of the drink within hours when it was offered on the company's website.
Now, 99-cent bottles are changing hands for more than $70 a pair on collectors' site eBay.
Jones boss Peter van Stolk, who is giving all proceeds to charity, has described the drink's taste as "gross".
A matter of taste
Mr van Stolk was intending only to distribute the drink to shops in the Seattle and Olympia areas in America's Pacific north-west.
Expecting it to be little more than a seasonal curiosity, Jones - which specialises in quirky drinks such as bubblegum soda - produced just 6,000 bottles in its initial run.
But these sold out straight away via Jones's website, and collectors have already bid up prices on auction sites such as eBay.
A two-bottle case is currently on offer for $71, while a four-bottle case can be bought now at the relative bargain price of $99.
The lucky auction winner, however, may be well advised to lay the drink down and avoid it.
"The liquid's ominous, murky brown colour accurately warns consumers about the taste sensation," the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
"With the first sip, hints of sweet caramel and savoury lard hit the palate, usually followed by facial expressions connoting confusion, disgust or anger."
I enjoyed the news tidbits....I just don't always have a response...But if response is what is required to keep you posting strange news then I will reply 10 times per tidbit.
