Scorecard

Sippin' whiskey

Credit: A. ZITZMANN

German scientists revealed 13 previously undiscovered aroma compounds in Kentucky bourbon as well as old favourites such as whiskylactone.

Sippin' nectar

The fermented nectar of the bertam palm, as drunk by Malaysia's pen-tailed tree shrew (pictured), is about as alcoholic as beer. Yet video evidence shows no sign of inebriation. Perhaps they just like the taste …

On the Record

“Dr Mitchell is a great American, but we do not share his opinions on this issue.”

NASA's response to Edgar Mitchell's claim that it is covering up contact with alien civilizations. Mitchell was a member of the Apollo 14 crew.

Number crunch

77% of Americans accepted that there is solid evidence for global warming in January 2007.

71% were of that opinion in April 2008.

13% was the drop in the acceptance rate among Republicans.

2% was the drop among Democrats.

Wordwatch

Loose

The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center may need a new name, because Stanford University will not let the government copyright its current one. An elegantly synonymic suggestion from a SLAC website: the Linearly Organised Optimum Science Establishment.

During August, Sidelines will be off on its summer holiday.

Sources: J. Agric. Food Chem., PNAS, Telegraph.co.uk, Pew Res. Center, SLAC