Sure, we've seen a set of robotic chompers before, but a team of scientists led by one Gaëlle Arvisenet is taking artificial mouths to a new plateau. In a study set to be released in next week's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers report on the "design of an artificial mouth that mimics the first vital steps of human digestion -- chewing, saliva release and the initial breakdown of food." In order to ensure accuracy in the mechanical chewer, the gurus actually compared masticated apple pulp from human mouths as well as the robotic version; they reportedly scrutinized texture, color and aromatic compound release. Great, as if we really need our next humanoid servant to start begging for eats.
Barack Obama has called President Bush's comments on appeasement "exactly the kind of appalling attack that's divided our country and alienates us from the rest of the world."
AFP - Leaders from Latin America and the European Union gathered in Peru Friday for a summit aimed at tackling poverty and climate change, but which was bogged down by differences over trade.
Reuters - Zimbabwe said on Friday it would hold a
delayed presidential election run-off on June 27, when the
opposition hopes to oust veteran leader Robert Mugabe after
nearly three decades in power.
