Official News page 6

REAL LIFE NEWS: TESTING FOR LANDMINES

by Hazed

I was shocked and horrified recently to learn that the Iraqi army has spent millions of pounds on a quack device which is supposed to detect guns, ammunition and bombs using a bit of wire and cardboard. Not only is this a complete waste of money, it's also putting lives at risk. You can read more about this here.

But that's not what this article is about. Instead, here's news of a real, genuine scientific breakthrough that could help detect landmines. It's a custom-made bacteria that glows green when it comes into contact with the chemicals leaked by buried explosives.

Landmines are a horrible and continuing problem for people who live in areas which have in the past been warzones. The fighting may be over but the legacy continues, with their land contaminated by buried explosives which pose a danger to anyone who walks over them. Between 15,000 and 20,000 casualties are caused each year by landmines and unexploded ordinance. Traditional ways of clearing landmines are either slow, or dangerous. Or both.

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh have come up with these bacteria which can be mixed into a colorless solution and sprayed onto the ground. Wait a short while and green patches will show where there might be mines. The organism is cheap to produce and can be sprayed from the air, with the results available in a few hours. The bacteria are not dangerous to people or animals.

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