Outside the Bubble

The University of Maryland student government recently passed a resolution permitting the screening of pornographic films on campus. The issue arose after a screening of the film “Pirates 2: Stagnetti’s Revenge.” Arguments in support of permitting pornographic screenings on campus drew largely on the First Amendment, and previous student government decisions related to the First Amendment.

Ultraviolet light can be used to neutralize manure odors, according to research by an Iowa State University associate professor. Experiments have shown that ultraviolet light causes odorous gases to react with other gases in the environment to produce less odorous compounds. The technology still needs to be tested in pilot and normal barnyard conditions before being commercially marketed.

A judge recommended dismissal of a case against Columbia University’s women’s studies program. The suit, brought by Roy Den Hollander MBA ’97, alleges that feminism is a religion, and that Columbia’s support of the program, without a corresponding program in men’s studies is therefore, a First Amendment violation.

University of Alabama student Adam Morgan solved a Rubik’s Cube in 47 seconds—while falling from 14,000 feet. Morgan typically solves Rubik’s Cubes for three hours a day, and reported that the hardest part of the task was that the wind made it difficult to keep control of his hands. The jump was Morgan’s first time skydiving.

Frankincense may become a treatment for bladder cancer, if lab studies by a University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center research group can be replicated on animal and human trial subjects. According to project members, research began as an investigation of claims by aromatherapy companies. Because frankincense is readily available in nature, the researchers will not be able to apply for a patent.

According to allegations by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an Ohio State University professor has repeatedly abused dogs while performing research on cardiac arrest. Statements by PETA members claimed that the research could only verify well-established information, and that the dogs had been neglected. Ohio State University has rebuffed these claims, saying that the research has yielded non-invasive methods for predicting heart problems, and that Federal Drug Administrations make the animal trials necessary.