Good Morning Lowcountry

Friday livestock

GMLc's weekly news roundup continues ...

Alligator blood. In our crystal ball, we see a new industry for South Carolina's rich crop of Alligator mississipiensis. The Washington Post reported that research unveiled at the American Chemical Society's recent meeting in New Orleans has shown that alligator blood could provide new antibiotics for ulcers, burns and even "superbugs." Alligators can automatically fight germs such as bacteria and viruses without having been exposed to them before launching a defense, the study said.

Clyburn says cut it out. In an interview that airs this morning at 9 on ETV Radio, Congressman Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., House majority whip, tells the Democratic candidates for president to stop criticizing each other.

"So, what I've been saying is, our candidates don't need to step down, or step out, they need to cut it out," Clyburn said. "By that I mean, cut out the negativity, talk about yourselves, talk about your platform and let that be the way you conduct this campaign."

Don't be afraid of China. Good magazine's May/June cover package is devoted to a gated American-style community outside Beijing, how the Chinese name their babies, the 10 largest companies in China and other facts of Chinese life.

Strange moon. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has taken a photo of an odd looking Martian moon called Phobos that might hold water ice and carbon-rich materials, according to the Digg Web site.

Brain power. CNN reported that a new survey found one out of five respondents said they've used drugs to boost their brain power.

The journal Nature reported that the online, nonscientific survey polled 1,400 people in 60 countries, most of whom work in biology, physics, medicine or education. They said their drugs of choice were Ritalin and Adderall.

Liars' tells. Tells are unconscious signals by which poker players reveal how they feel about their cards. Forbes magazine reports that liars have them, too.

Research shows that liars' tells include shifty eyes; higher vocal pitch; perspiration; heavier breathing; imprecise pronouns; asking for questions to be repeated; use of the phrases "to tell you the truth" and "to be perfectly honest"; and lack of hand gestures while talking.

Food chain. The New York Times reported that more farmers are opting out of the government's conservation program that pays them not to cultivate and going for bigger harvests instead. Environmental and hunting groups say years of conservation, particularly in the Upper Midwest's native prairies, could be lost.

Hunters speak up. Hunters and anglers are meeting with House lawmakers to encourage legislation to curtail greenhouse gases linked to global warming, AP reported. The Wildlife Management Institute's report, based on work by the hunting and fishing groups, found that global warming could reduce North America's breeding duck population by 69 percent ... 42 percent of trout and salmon habitat could be lost by the end of the century ... Pronghorn antelope, elk and mule deer will dwindle as the sagebrush ecosystem in the West declines ... populations of bobwhite quail will shrink in the Deep South ... and sea-level rise would destroy thousands of acres of coastal salt marshes.

$500 billion storm? Reuters reported that hurricanes like Andrew and Katrina have not put a dent in massive construction along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Katrina caused damages of $80 billion, and costs will rise, experts said. The site of a future $500 billion storm could be Miami Beach, Houston or New York City, hurricane experts said.

GMLc

Call 937-5564. Write gmlc@postandcourier.com. Find the blog at gmlc.typepad.com.