Interesting and offbeat Aussie stories.

Kangaroo farts could fight global warming: scientists

Posted Thu Dec 6, 2007 1:19pm AEDT
Updated Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:28pm AEDT

Livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions. (File photo) (Getty Images: Phil Walter)

• Map: Brisbane 4000

Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroos' flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

Queensland Government senior research scientist Athol Klieve says 14 per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia are from enteric methane from cattle and sheep.

"If you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 per cent," he said.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating," Dr Klieve said.

Farming view

Even farmers who laugh at the idea of environmentally friendly kangaroo farts say that it is nothing to joke about, particularly given the devastating drought Australia is suffering.

"In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 per cent [more energy] would be a considerable sum," said farmer Michael Mitton.

But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate the bacteria before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep.

Another group of scientists has suggested Australians farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.

The idea is controversial but about 20 per cent of health-conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already.

Peter Ampt, from the University of New South Wales's Institute of Environmental Studies, says the meat has health benefits.

"It's low in fat. It's got high protein levels. It's very clean," he said.

"It doesn't get drenched. It doesn't get vaccinated. It utilises food right across the landscape. It moves around to where the food is good. It's a good food."

- AFP

Prostitute offers sex for charity

Posted Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:06am AEDT

A high-class Chilean prostitute touched by a charity telethon's bid to raise money for handicapped children has stepped forward with her own contribution - 27 hours of sex.

That's how much paid sex work the escort, Maria Carolina, has said she wants to contribute to the Teleton association.

The money she earns from the marathon session, scheduled for November 30-December 1, will go to the charity, Ms Carolina said.

She said she would post a picture of the bank deposit slip on her website afterwards to dispel any doubts.

"I am going to contribute with my work to a purpose that touches me deeply," Ms Carolina said.

She has spread her message through several online sites and television programs.

But the administrator of the Teleton foundation, television presenter Mario Kreutzberger, has thrown cold water on the proposition, saying it falls well outside his moral guidelines and he cannot accept it.

Ms Carolina, though, said she was determined.

"How can someone question a person who wants to put her job at the service of a noble cause?" she asked.

- AFP

Wedding dresses, sitar up for grabs in 'dead letter' auction

Posted Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:16am AEDT

• Map: Melbourne 3000

Two wedding dresses are among a range of unusual items up for sale today, at Australia Post's annual auction of undeliverable mail in Melbourne.

There will be 15,000 items auctioned, including a sitar, a saxophone, and 27 coffee machines.

Australia Post spokesman Don Elgin says the auction lots are just some of the 8,000 items posted every day without the correct address.

"Unfortunately people haven't found out about the addressee's correct address, they haven't put a return address on there and so they end up in what we call a dead letter office, basically the end of the road," he said.