On the Record

“I'll have time for feelings after I'm dead. Right now, we're busy.”

NASA administrator Michael Griffin tells reporters how he feels about the successful launch of the space shuttle Discovery on 4 July.

“I am really, really proud. The only problem is that I really don't know what to do with it.”

Stefan Trellenkamp of the University of Kaiserslautern explains how he engraved the world's smallest soccer pitch — 500 nanometres long — onacrylic glass.

Sources: NPR, Reuters

Scorecard

Mushrooms

Researchers show that under carefully controlled conditions, hallucinogenic mushrooms can cause spiritual experiences that have positive effects on a person.

Cannabis

Neuroscientists reveal that rats given cannabis when they are young are more likely to become addicted to heroin. This suggests that marijuana could make users more susceptible to hard drugs.

Obesity

A US study of more than 9,000 adults finds that those suffering from obesity are 25% more likely to have mental health problems.

Number Crunch

Scientists are drowning in paperwork, according to a survey of more than 6,000 US faculty members by the Federal Demonstration Partnership.

42% of 'research time' is actually spent doing administration.

4 hours a week could be saved if researchers got administrative help.

10% of their research grant is what some scientists say they would be prepared to pay for that help.

Source: Chronicle of Higher Education