Our Times: April 2007

Llama vs ebola

Antibodies unique to few mammalian species, including the llama, camel and shark, could help detect biochemical threats from pesticides to diseases like Ebola. A research effort has manipulated a rare type of antibody found in llamas to make an inexpensive and diverse biosensor that can identify and fight many foreign proteins.

Where’s the ka-boom?

While it is theoretically possible to set off a petrol fire with a mobile phone, it has never happened.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau studied 243 petrol station fires worldwide between 1993 and 2004 and reported no mobiles were involved.
Robert Renkes, a spokesman for the American Petroleum Institute, said, “We have not found a cell phone responsible for any fire since the beginning of mankind.” Even the popular Mythbusters TV show, tried mightily to make a mobile phone explode a chamber full of petrol vapour, and failed.

Big Apple less fat

New York City’s board of health voted to phase out most artificial trans fats from restaurants, forcing fast-food restaurants to eliminated trans fats by July 2007. They will be given a three-month grace period before facing fines. Makers of doughnuts and other baked goods will be given until July 2008 to phase out trans fats.

50 Yeas Ago in Signs

For more than 120 years, SIGNS OF THE TIMES has been driven by one purpose – to reveal Jesus Christ to people who have yet to develop a life-changing relationship with Him. This issue has no exception. Jesus and His teachings permeate this magazine from cove to cover, just as they have every issue of SIGNS since 1885.